Marty Rabeno hand engraves large scrolls quite well. The scroll element is a part of designing for engraving that can be difficult to execute on a larger scale....
Continue with Getting the Big Picture »
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2010 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alexander Sidorov, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Martin Strolz, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alain Lovenberg, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ken Hunt, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill Returns, 2007 »
January • February • Show All Articles for 2012 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2011
Marty Rabeno hand engraves large scrolls quite well. The scroll element is a part of designing for engraving that can be difficult to execute on a larger scale....
Continue with Getting the Big Picture »
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2010 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alexander Sidorov, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Martin Strolz, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alain Lovenberg, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ken Hunt, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill Returns, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill, 2005 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ron Smith, 2005 »
It is always nice to see a hand engraving artist flourish from the artistic training received at the GRS Training Center.
...
Continue with A Past Student Flourishes with GRSTC »
Jake Newell of Emporia, Kansas, does engraving work for William Henry Studio. Newell's knives feature luxurious gold and copper inlay mixed with crisp hand-engraved designs.
...
Continue with Hand Engraving a William Henry »
If you haven't seen the newly released 2012 Course Schedule, it is definitely worth a peek! Classes fill quickly, especially courses like Advanced Stone Setting and Drawing & Designing Scenes, so call 800-835-3519 today for details.
...
Continue with We're Part of Your Journey »
Diane Scalese has three different classes during the upcoming 2012 year of courses at the GRS Training Center, but they won't last long....
Continue with Scaling the Heights with Brights »
The work of hand engraving artist Mitchell Lurth from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will go out to thousands of GRS Training Center students by way of the cover artwork for the new 2012 GRSTC Course Calendar (call 800-835-3519 or request one online).
...
Continue with The 2012 Learn Plate: Revealed! »
In the engraving world, what is more important than the actual engraving itself? The drawing process that results in that engraving is the most important part of the entire engraving.
...
Continue with Draw, Draw, Draw...And Then Draw Some More »
Two and a half years ago, Kuan Ting Chen of Taiwan discovered GRS Tools. As a stone setter, he now has the capability to add hand engraving to his work.
...
Continue with Stone Setting and Engraving from Taiwan »
A series of works is an easy and hard way to design. On one hand, you can choose the main element or focus of the series. On the other, you need to make each piece different and still unified throughout the series.
...
Continue with What Jumped Over the Moon? »
With the online release of the 2012 GRSTC Course Schedule just weeks away, the printed calendar will be going out in the mail soon as well.
...
Continue with Sneak Peek: 2012 Learn Plate »
English scroll is one of those traditional designs that work on a variety of workpieces. From firearms to jewelry, the English scroll is quite versatile.
...
Continue with Keeping the English in Line! »
How can a wedding set be both a comfort and a sight to behold at the same time? When it has custom hand engraving!...
Continue with Custom Jewelry Sets »
Is it really almost 2012? Whether the world is going to end or we've still got a few generations left to go, there is at least one exciting thing to look forward to: a new training schedule!
...
Continue with New Courses Are Coming! New Courses Are Coming! »
At the GRS Training Center, we see people from all backgrounds and on all different artistic paths.
...
Continue with It Takes Two »
This fun and interesting piece is by James Ehlers, Professor of Engraving Arts at Emporia State University.
...
Continue with Fresh and Hot Coiled Scrolls! »
Getting too close to the work under the scope and never taking an unmagnified look can cause an "uh-oh" moment when too much work is done to take a step back.
...
Continue with Look Closely, Take a Step Back »
Hot diamonds in a circle, stone setters! What lovely lady wouldn't mind showing off this gorgeous band of stones on her finger?
...
Continue with Between a Rock and Another Rock and Another Rock.... »
It's no secret that artists always enjoy the work of another artist. From these works, some draw inspiration, others aspiration, and others still simply admiration.
...
Continue with An Artist's Trade »
Many engravers have much success engraving in gold and silver. With the cost going up every day for these precious metals, this engravable piece in steel and brass is really a shining example of how to get more from less.
...
Continue with Sophistication, Sealed with Brass and Steel »
Need more clients? Putting yourself and your work "out there" is one way to make that happen. And, sometimes, work really does just fall into your hands.
...
Continue with Gun Show Success! »
While graphic designer and hobby engraver Amanda Henson learned to cut with a microscope, the naked eye and a blank canvas is what she uses for engraving most of the time since taking a class.
...
Continue with Engraving Can Just Be for Fun »
Steve Dunn sure knows how to throw a punch — when it comes to engraving backgrounds, at least!
...
Continue with Throw the First Punch »
A follow-up to the curvy cuts Diane Scalese presented on this silver pendant from a recent class, this is one side of the finished pendant.
...
Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders: Part 2 »
Looking back on the past can be a good way to reflect on the present. GRS Training Center instructor and engraving artist Rex Pedersen has a few old and personal photos to share. "These three photos are of my father," he says.
...
Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 2 »
No matter what your idea of school looks like, our training is a cut above anything else. Unless, of course, you imagine one of the fantastic learning experiences provided at the GRS Training Center.
...
Continue with This Time, It's Personal »
Steven Landers, a hobbyist engraver currently residing in Alexandria, Virginia, will be finishing up a week of training at the GRSTC today.
...
Continue with Student Work from Steven Landers »
What better way to usher in a new 56-page catalog (download it now!) than to grace the cover with a piece of history steeped in the modern world of engraving.
...
Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 1 »
Some jobs call for complete coverage, or the surface containing all design and no blank space, and some call for a much simpler design....
Continue with Simple and Sleek »
One thing Marty will tell you about engraving is that it all starts with a good design. No matter how proficient you are with a graver, a poor design leads to a poor engraving....
Continue with Art Matters to Marty »
Recently, goldsmith Josiah Hanley took a class with Diane Scalese and Sam Alfano at the GRS Training Center.
...
Continue with The Future is Bright and Detailed »
Nothing says "wow" like the beautiful bright cuts from Diane Scalese.
...
Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders »
One of the easiest ways to treat a background in engraving is total removal of the metal with a flat graver and a stipple tool. Although it takes more time, it can be fairly foolproof in execution.
...
Continue with Background Treatments in Engraving »
Nothing is better to keep the heat away from the fine wood of your desk than a hand-engraved coaster from Jeremiah Watt.
...
Continue with The Coolest Coffee Cup Coaster »
Andrew Gonzales had shown off some very neat engravings before here on Featured Photos, but this recent hobo nickel takes the cake. Or the village, maybe.
...
Continue with A Hobo Nickel with an Axe to Grind »
Questions come in to us at GRS about getting started with gun engraving. With inquiries ranging from tools to design, the answers can most easily be answered by instructors like Rex Pedersen....
Continue with Rex Can Teach You, Too »
With a new course coming in a just a few days, we are all excited about the projects that students will be cranking out in the near future....
Continue with Let's Meet in the Middle »
With jewelry engraving, one of the most important decisions is what to do with the border. Although leaving a plain band of metal around the edge is certainly an option, check out this quick design cut by Todd Daniels.
...
Continue with Crossing the Border »
Recently, Bob Finlay taught his class covering Deep Relief Engraving at the GRS Training Center. So that the students could have a one-of-a-kind project piece, Finlay himself drew out this great Western-themed design.
...
Continue with Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
Creating scrolls that keep a viewer's eye going through the artwork is an important task in designing.
...
Continue with Great Scrolls! »
Weldon Lister, who does high-quality hammer and chisel work as a hand engraving artist, recently created these designs for a very special event.
...
Continue with GRS Buck Knife: It Cuts Like Butter »
Sometimes the worst situation can open opportunities you did not know existed. Take hand engraver Dossie Cribbs, whose life-changing event nearly a decade ago led him to a new art....
Continue with It Just Makes Sense »
Any time an engraver has a large, irregular piece for which to design, taking into consideration the entire surface area is a big issue....
Continue with Engraving with the Whole Piece in Mind »
As far as weapons go, knives are cool. Pistols are cool. But either one is best when it has custom artwork from hand engravers like Steve Dunn....
Continue with Get More "Dunn" with Pistol Engraving »
While it is customary for a man to give his wife a gift of jewelry, some find a jewelry shop that designs and fabricates unique, custom pieces....
Continue with Sweet, Thoughtful Jewelry – With A Carat of Stones! »
Sometimes the hardest part of self-teaching is not knowing what to do to get the end results....
Continue with Pistol Progression: An Important Part of Inlay »
What a gun! This .44 Magnum has been hand engraved by artist Brian Powley, and he has done a very nice job making the engraving unified with the piece as a whole. ...
Continue with Nice Features, Nice Engraving »
One of the many great things about art is that it is not required to be based in reality. With the invention of photography, art was replaced as a factual reproduction of life and allowed to become anything imaginable....
Continue with More from Rick Eaton »
The Meek Squirrel is a great project left behind by a well-respected authority on engraving. Originally, the design for this project was a simple illustration by James “Bruce” Meek, author of The Art of Engraving (#002-164)....
Continue with Free Project Available Now! »
When working with narrow or small spaces, the best option is often a symmetrical design like the one here by hand engraving artist Sam Alfano....
Continue with Small Space? Use Symmetry! »
We've heard it time and time again here at the GRS Training Center. Simply put, there is nothing quite like the one-on-one time students receive from our instructors....
Continue with It Takes A Pro »
Recently, Bob Finlay worked with hand engravers at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas on the skills of relief engraving....
Continue with Deep Relief Engraving with Bob Finlay »
Some love the beautiful nature of cold, hard steel uninterrupted by imperfections in the metal. ...
Continue with Steel Beauty »
On the flip side of Alexander Sidorov's recreation of Damascus steel on this William Henry knife, Sidorov has brightened up the piece with stones....
Continue with The Brighter Side of Knife »
Michal Molnar and Igor Fabry of Molnar Fabry have been making beautiful, 'skeletonized' watches since 2006. To date, they have sold 12 of 15 one-of-a-kind pieces....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 2 »
One of the neatest movements in the art of watchmaking is 'skeletonizing' a timepiece. Two craftsmen from the Slovak Republic have turned their passion for an artistic hobby into a fine art business....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 1 »
Damascus steel is a method of folding and fabricating a blade that turns out a beautiful pattern in the metal. With this William Henry knife, Alexander Sidorov have created a similar look....
Continue with Make It Look Like Damascus »
This piece by Sergej Manaeko shows off his talent, much like his hand-engraved watch face in the previous Featured Photos article....
Continue with Engrave & Pierce »
A timepiece can provide more than just how many hours are left in the day; it can also can show off artistry and skill....
Continue with A Little Hand-Engraved Facetime »
Much like the beautiful brass and purple anodized prototype from GRSTC instructor and professional artist Todd Daniels, here is another watch bezel from this creative artist....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel, Part 2 »
A neat technique to consider when working on a design for your piece is incorporating the use of line. This piece by knifemaker and engraver Rick Eaton is a fine example of creating interest and movement with line....
Continue with Using Line in Your Design »
At the recent BASELWORLD trade fair in Basel, Switzerland, master stone setter and artist Alexander Sidorov demonstrated his highly polished skills for the crowds who visited the GRS Tools / Glendo USA show booth....
Continue with "Watch" and Learn »
Of course, it is undeniable the skill that Alexander Sidorov infuses into every single piece of work that he creates. Aside from the beautiful form, Sidorov also pays attention to color theory to produce striking results....
Continue with Using Color in Jewelry Design »
On list of possible themes, "totem poles" seemed like a good project for Jake Newell before he started on this project for William Henry Studio. A graduate of Emporia State University in the Engraving Arts program, Newell has been engraving professionally for almost a year....
Continue with A William Henry Totem: Letting Creativity Flow »
Whether chrome plated or sterling like this loupe, many engravers and jewelers like to embellish their personal loupe....
Continue with Embellish Your Loupe »
With the price of gold, what can you do but find a substitute for some projects? As shown here on this vise, brass can make for a lovely alternative for inlay....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Brass Happy »
Rex Pedersen, a charter member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America, will be teaching a course next week that is always a blast (pun intended!) for his students....
Continue with Oh, Henry. »
Unlike what most engravers cut, Bob Finlay presents his skills in an absolutely three-dimensional style that is striking. And the best part? You can learn how to engrave like Bob!...
Continue with What A Relief! »
Every year brings something new when the GRS Training Center courses begin. With the likes of professional engravers Marty Rabeno and Diane Scalese, students have had the opportunity of a lifetime to learn directly from these experienced artists during the first week of classes....
Continue with 2011 Training Courses Begin! »
Sorting out the details of a prototype can be easily done when less expensive materials, like this stainless steel watch bezel (#011-383), are available to use....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel »
Recently, Andrew Biggs of New Zealand demonstrated for GRS at the BASELWorld show in Switzerland. New to this role, he did an excellent job showing off his engraving skills for the crowds....
Continue with What Do New Zealand and Switzerland Have in Common? »
How often now with our busy schedules do we hear words like telecommute, video chat, or virtual learning? In this day of technology, it is easy to forego traditional means of communication and education....
Continue with Hands On, In Person »
Typically, what would be negative space inside the backbone of a scroll is filled with leaves. However, knifemaker and engraver Steve Dunn has taken a different approach with this design....
Continue with What Goes Inside the Scroll? »
Although this knife in its complete form was recently featured last December, this celebration piece for FEGA by Lee Griffiths has beautiful scrollwork that deserves a close up....
Continue with Overlapping & Shade Lines »
Whenever an artist needs to lay out a design that will be incorporated with an existing piece, such as a custom made knife with inlaid stone on the handle, the natural flow of the stone can lend itself quite well to creativity....
Continue with Working With Natural Flow »
Every good engraver knows and can attest to the fact that drawing (and practicing!) the elements of your designs leads to better engraved work. This drawing here is by current Emporia State University professor James Ehlers....
Continue with Great Slithering Scrolls! »
Although Marty Rabeno knows how to have a good laugh, he's no fool when it comes to engraving....
Continue with He's No Fool »
Mitchell Lurth recently engraved this GRS Low Profile Vise (#003-615). Perhaps you have seen Robert "Bob" Finlay's engraved MicroBlock or the MicroBlock with Sparkle by Alexander Sidorov and Dima Semenets, but this engraved vise is a much larger project in scale....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Adding Details »
Tools are these great inventions of man that make work easier. From hammers to saws to metal formers, jewelry work would be a bit more of a challenge without tools....
Continue with Flat or Curvy: Which Do You Prefer? »
GRS workholding blocks and vises aren't just heavy pieces of necessary engraving equipment. A vise can also become a workpiece itself....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Sneak Peek »
The luck of the Irish abounds on March 17, and this year some lucky bidder can really "feel the green."...
Continue with Feel The Green (St. Patrick's Day Engraving) »
For engravers, the styles and techniques being shared today seem to be limitless. But what happens when you decide you want something a little different to add to your skill set?...
Continue with Oh, The Possibilities »
Classes like the Deep Relief Engraving course with Robert "Bob" Finlay are always a fun way to dig into engraving, especially with the neat Western design for his 2011 course....
Continue with Sneak Peek: Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
When your canvas is only inches in length and width, you don't quite have the same freedom of artistic expression as with larger pieces. Although you have fewer decisions to make, the ones you do make are very important....
Continue with How To Fill A Small Space »
The ability to use creative skills for anything from everyday jewelry engraving to the most special occasions is one of the best parts of being a hand engraving artist. You can make gifts for family, loved ones, friends, and even yourself....
Continue with A Custom Seal »
One professional engraver at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, has the skills. You know, the skills that not only allow her to be an excellent teacher but also allow her to execute many styles of engraving....
Continue with Basics to Brights to Advanced »
One of the ideas behind Featured Photos is to give engravers and artists inspiration for their own work. Andy Gonzales of North Canton, Ohio, has found inspiration in work by Jake Newell who was recently featured....
Continue with "Picking" Your Custom Work »
From the Czech Republic comes Vlastic Peták, a European hand engraving artist whose stunningly lifelike work is always breathtaking, has shared a recent work with us....
Continue with To Make The Most Beautiful Gun »
Starting into uncharted territory can be an intimidating task when it comes to hand engraving. When jewelry has been your focus and firearms enter the picture (or vice versa), it can be hard not to consider the possibility of failure....
Continue with My First Engraved Firearm »
A few weeks ago on Featured Photos, we showed off hand engraving on an alternative to precious (and expensive) metals. Although it seems a few engravers out there can still work with these precious metals like silver and gold, being able to transition to metals like steel and copper is a good skill to have in any economy....
Continue with Mild Mannered Steel, Super Engraving »
With the day of couples around the corner, a sweet memento for your loved one — hand engraved, of course — is the perfect way to show you care....
Continue with A Sweet Valentine: Tira & Rob »
Lee Griffiths does his best to create work that is unique and beautiful. From spiders to hornblowers to historical scenes, his work shows his creativity....
Continue with Winning Big »
Artists in general have it easy when it comes to creating a new work. The privacy of a studio allows for mistakes, frustrations, and epiphanies to come and go with the flow of creativity....
Continue with A Public Affair »
Aside from the overall sparkle and shine of jewelry, it is often to the advantage of the wearer for the piece to have some kind of character. Something that makes the jewelry unique is always eye catching....
Continue with Bracelets with Culture »
As engravers, finding a place in the art world to market work can be tough given the current economy. One way to help your income is to expand to jewelry engraving....
Continue with Successful Jewelry Engraving »
If you build your house on sand, what kind of foundation for the future do you have? Probably not a very good one. You want something solid and strong, and the same goes for the art of engraving....
Continue with The Importance of the Basics »
With the price of gold into the astronomical limits of many engraving clients, alternative metals can still provide a custom piece with flash and style....
Continue with What Can You Do With Steel? »
Sam Welch has donated a great amount of his time to FEGA. From being a founding member to serving as President and Vice President for the guild, Sam felt that it was important to be a contributing benefactor to the organization that gave his career purpose years ago....
Continue with Music to My Graver »
Over and over again, new engravers find the challenge of cutting shade lines that both look "right" and are cut properly....
Continue with Finding the Sweet Spot in Shading »
American engraver Ron Smith is well-known for his beautiful hand engraved work. He also has written several books that provide countless engravers with inspiration and the knowledge to create better designs....
Continue with Inspired by Advanced Drawing »
Igor Tarantul of Israel recently sent in some photos of his work — and, wow, what beautiful artwork to behold!...
Continue with Engraving for a Wedding »
Holden Krom does not back down from the challenges that engraving has to offer. Instead, he embraces them....
Continue with New Challenges »
January • February • Show All Articles for 2012 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2011
January • February • Show All Articles for 2012 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2011 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2010
Marty Rabeno hand engraves large scrolls quite well. The scroll element is a part of designing for engraving that can be difficult to execute on a larger scale....
Continue with Getting the Big Picture »
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2010 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alexander Sidorov, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Martin Strolz, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alain Lovenberg, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ken Hunt, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill Returns, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill, 2005 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
...
Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ron Smith, 2005 »
It is always nice to see a hand engraving artist flourish from the artistic training received at the GRS Training Center.
...
Continue with A Past Student Flourishes with GRSTC »
Jake Newell of Emporia, Kansas, does engraving work for William Henry Studio. Newell's knives feature luxurious gold and copper inlay mixed with crisp hand-engraved designs.
...
Continue with Hand Engraving a William Henry »
If you haven't seen the newly released 2012 Course Schedule, it is definitely worth a peek! Classes fill quickly, especially courses like Advanced Stone Setting and Drawing & Designing Scenes, so call 800-835-3519 today for details.
...
Continue with We're Part of Your Journey »
Diane Scalese has three different classes during the upcoming 2012 year of courses at the GRS Training Center, but they won't last long....
Continue with Scaling the Heights with Brights »
The work of hand engraving artist Mitchell Lurth from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will go out to thousands of GRS Training Center students by way of the cover artwork for the new 2012 GRSTC Course Calendar (call 800-835-3519 or request one online).
...
Continue with The 2012 Learn Plate: Revealed! »
In the engraving world, what is more important than the actual engraving itself? The drawing process that results in that engraving is the most important part of the entire engraving.
...
Continue with Draw, Draw, Draw...And Then Draw Some More »
Two and a half years ago, Kuan Ting Chen of Taiwan discovered GRS Tools. As a stone setter, he now has the capability to add hand engraving to his work.
...
Continue with Stone Setting and Engraving from Taiwan »
A series of works is an easy and hard way to design. On one hand, you can choose the main element or focus of the series. On the other, you need to make each piece different and still unified throughout the series.
...
Continue with What Jumped Over the Moon? »
With the online release of the 2012 GRSTC Course Schedule just weeks away, the printed calendar will be going out in the mail soon as well.
...
Continue with Sneak Peek: 2012 Learn Plate »
English scroll is one of those traditional designs that work on a variety of workpieces. From firearms to jewelry, the English scroll is quite versatile.
...
Continue with Keeping the English in Line! »
How can a wedding set be both a comfort and a sight to behold at the same time? When it has custom hand engraving!...
Continue with Custom Jewelry Sets »
Is it really almost 2012? Whether the world is going to end or we've still got a few generations left to go, there is at least one exciting thing to look forward to: a new training schedule!
...
Continue with New Courses Are Coming! New Courses Are Coming! »
At the GRS Training Center, we see people from all backgrounds and on all different artistic paths.
...
Continue with It Takes Two »
This fun and interesting piece is by James Ehlers, Professor of Engraving Arts at Emporia State University.
...
Continue with Fresh and Hot Coiled Scrolls! »
Getting too close to the work under the scope and never taking an unmagnified look can cause an "uh-oh" moment when too much work is done to take a step back.
...
Continue with Look Closely, Take a Step Back »
Hot diamonds in a circle, stone setters! What lovely lady wouldn't mind showing off this gorgeous band of stones on her finger?
...
Continue with Between a Rock and Another Rock and Another Rock.... »
It's no secret that artists always enjoy the work of another artist. From these works, some draw inspiration, others aspiration, and others still simply admiration.
...
Continue with An Artist's Trade »
Many engravers have much success engraving in gold and silver. With the cost going up every day for these precious metals, this engravable piece in steel and brass is really a shining example of how to get more from less.
...
Continue with Sophistication, Sealed with Brass and Steel »
Need more clients? Putting yourself and your work "out there" is one way to make that happen. And, sometimes, work really does just fall into your hands.
...
Continue with Gun Show Success! »
While graphic designer and hobby engraver Amanda Henson learned to cut with a microscope, the naked eye and a blank canvas is what she uses for engraving most of the time since taking a class.
...
Continue with Engraving Can Just Be for Fun »
Steve Dunn sure knows how to throw a punch — when it comes to engraving backgrounds, at least!
...
Continue with Throw the First Punch »
A follow-up to the curvy cuts Diane Scalese presented on this silver pendant from a recent class, this is one side of the finished pendant.
...
Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders: Part 2 »
Looking back on the past can be a good way to reflect on the present. GRS Training Center instructor and engraving artist Rex Pedersen has a few old and personal photos to share. "These three photos are of my father," he says.
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Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 2 »
No matter what your idea of school looks like, our training is a cut above anything else. Unless, of course, you imagine one of the fantastic learning experiences provided at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with This Time, It's Personal »
Steven Landers, a hobbyist engraver currently residing in Alexandria, Virginia, will be finishing up a week of training at the GRSTC today.
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Continue with Student Work from Steven Landers »
What better way to usher in a new 56-page catalog (download it now!) than to grace the cover with a piece of history steeped in the modern world of engraving.
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Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 1 »
Some jobs call for complete coverage, or the surface containing all design and no blank space, and some call for a much simpler design....
Continue with Simple and Sleek »
One thing Marty will tell you about engraving is that it all starts with a good design. No matter how proficient you are with a graver, a poor design leads to a poor engraving....
Continue with Art Matters to Marty »
Recently, goldsmith Josiah Hanley took a class with Diane Scalese and Sam Alfano at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with The Future is Bright and Detailed »
Nothing says "wow" like the beautiful bright cuts from Diane Scalese.
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Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders »
One of the easiest ways to treat a background in engraving is total removal of the metal with a flat graver and a stipple tool. Although it takes more time, it can be fairly foolproof in execution.
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Continue with Background Treatments in Engraving »
Nothing is better to keep the heat away from the fine wood of your desk than a hand-engraved coaster from Jeremiah Watt.
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Continue with The Coolest Coffee Cup Coaster »
Andrew Gonzales had shown off some very neat engravings before here on Featured Photos, but this recent hobo nickel takes the cake. Or the village, maybe.
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Continue with A Hobo Nickel with an Axe to Grind »
Questions come in to us at GRS about getting started with gun engraving. With inquiries ranging from tools to design, the answers can most easily be answered by instructors like Rex Pedersen....
Continue with Rex Can Teach You, Too »
With a new course coming in a just a few days, we are all excited about the projects that students will be cranking out in the near future....
Continue with Let's Meet in the Middle »
With jewelry engraving, one of the most important decisions is what to do with the border. Although leaving a plain band of metal around the edge is certainly an option, check out this quick design cut by Todd Daniels.
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Continue with Crossing the Border »
Recently, Bob Finlay taught his class covering Deep Relief Engraving at the GRS Training Center. So that the students could have a one-of-a-kind project piece, Finlay himself drew out this great Western-themed design.
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Continue with Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
Creating scrolls that keep a viewer's eye going through the artwork is an important task in designing.
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Continue with Great Scrolls! »
Weldon Lister, who does high-quality hammer and chisel work as a hand engraving artist, recently created these designs for a very special event.
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Continue with GRS Buck Knife: It Cuts Like Butter »
Sometimes the worst situation can open opportunities you did not know existed. Take hand engraver Dossie Cribbs, whose life-changing event nearly a decade ago led him to a new art....
Continue with It Just Makes Sense »
Any time an engraver has a large, irregular piece for which to design, taking into consideration the entire surface area is a big issue....
Continue with Engraving with the Whole Piece in Mind »
As far as weapons go, knives are cool. Pistols are cool. But either one is best when it has custom artwork from hand engravers like Steve Dunn....
Continue with Get More "Dunn" with Pistol Engraving »
While it is customary for a man to give his wife a gift of jewelry, some find a jewelry shop that designs and fabricates unique, custom pieces....
Continue with Sweet, Thoughtful Jewelry – With A Carat of Stones! »
Sometimes the hardest part of self-teaching is not knowing what to do to get the end results....
Continue with Pistol Progression: An Important Part of Inlay »
What a gun! This .44 Magnum has been hand engraved by artist Brian Powley, and he has done a very nice job making the engraving unified with the piece as a whole. ...
Continue with Nice Features, Nice Engraving »
One of the many great things about art is that it is not required to be based in reality. With the invention of photography, art was replaced as a factual reproduction of life and allowed to become anything imaginable....
Continue with More from Rick Eaton »
The Meek Squirrel is a great project left behind by a well-respected authority on engraving. Originally, the design for this project was a simple illustration by James “Bruce” Meek, author of The Art of Engraving (#002-164)....
Continue with Free Project Available Now! »
When working with narrow or small spaces, the best option is often a symmetrical design like the one here by hand engraving artist Sam Alfano....
Continue with Small Space? Use Symmetry! »
We've heard it time and time again here at the GRS Training Center. Simply put, there is nothing quite like the one-on-one time students receive from our instructors....
Continue with It Takes A Pro »
Recently, Bob Finlay worked with hand engravers at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas on the skills of relief engraving....
Continue with Deep Relief Engraving with Bob Finlay »
Some love the beautiful nature of cold, hard steel uninterrupted by imperfections in the metal. ...
Continue with Steel Beauty »
On the flip side of Alexander Sidorov's recreation of Damascus steel on this William Henry knife, Sidorov has brightened up the piece with stones....
Continue with The Brighter Side of Knife »
Michal Molnar and Igor Fabry of Molnar Fabry have been making beautiful, 'skeletonized' watches since 2006. To date, they have sold 12 of 15 one-of-a-kind pieces....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 2 »
One of the neatest movements in the art of watchmaking is 'skeletonizing' a timepiece. Two craftsmen from the Slovak Republic have turned their passion for an artistic hobby into a fine art business....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 1 »
Damascus steel is a method of folding and fabricating a blade that turns out a beautiful pattern in the metal. With this William Henry knife, Alexander Sidorov have created a similar look....
Continue with Make It Look Like Damascus »
This piece by Sergej Manaeko shows off his talent, much like his hand-engraved watch face in the previous Featured Photos article....
Continue with Engrave & Pierce »
A timepiece can provide more than just how many hours are left in the day; it can also can show off artistry and skill....
Continue with A Little Hand-Engraved Facetime »
Much like the beautiful brass and purple anodized prototype from GRSTC instructor and professional artist Todd Daniels, here is another watch bezel from this creative artist....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel, Part 2 »
A neat technique to consider when working on a design for your piece is incorporating the use of line. This piece by knifemaker and engraver Rick Eaton is a fine example of creating interest and movement with line....
Continue with Using Line in Your Design »
At the recent BASELWORLD trade fair in Basel, Switzerland, master stone setter and artist Alexander Sidorov demonstrated his highly polished skills for the crowds who visited the GRS Tools / Glendo USA show booth....
Continue with "Watch" and Learn »
Of course, it is undeniable the skill that Alexander Sidorov infuses into every single piece of work that he creates. Aside from the beautiful form, Sidorov also pays attention to color theory to produce striking results....
Continue with Using Color in Jewelry Design »
On list of possible themes, "totem poles" seemed like a good project for Jake Newell before he started on this project for William Henry Studio. A graduate of Emporia State University in the Engraving Arts program, Newell has been engraving professionally for almost a year....
Continue with A William Henry Totem: Letting Creativity Flow »
Whether chrome plated or sterling like this loupe, many engravers and jewelers like to embellish their personal loupe....
Continue with Embellish Your Loupe »
With the price of gold, what can you do but find a substitute for some projects? As shown here on this vise, brass can make for a lovely alternative for inlay....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Brass Happy »
Rex Pedersen, a charter member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America, will be teaching a course next week that is always a blast (pun intended!) for his students....
Continue with Oh, Henry. »
Unlike what most engravers cut, Bob Finlay presents his skills in an absolutely three-dimensional style that is striking. And the best part? You can learn how to engrave like Bob!...
Continue with What A Relief! »
Every year brings something new when the GRS Training Center courses begin. With the likes of professional engravers Marty Rabeno and Diane Scalese, students have had the opportunity of a lifetime to learn directly from these experienced artists during the first week of classes....
Continue with 2011 Training Courses Begin! »
Sorting out the details of a prototype can be easily done when less expensive materials, like this stainless steel watch bezel (#011-383), are available to use....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel »
Recently, Andrew Biggs of New Zealand demonstrated for GRS at the BASELWorld show in Switzerland. New to this role, he did an excellent job showing off his engraving skills for the crowds....
Continue with What Do New Zealand and Switzerland Have in Common? »
How often now with our busy schedules do we hear words like telecommute, video chat, or virtual learning? In this day of technology, it is easy to forego traditional means of communication and education....
Continue with Hands On, In Person »
Typically, what would be negative space inside the backbone of a scroll is filled with leaves. However, knifemaker and engraver Steve Dunn has taken a different approach with this design....
Continue with What Goes Inside the Scroll? »
Although this knife in its complete form was recently featured last December, this celebration piece for FEGA by Lee Griffiths has beautiful scrollwork that deserves a close up....
Continue with Overlapping & Shade Lines »
Whenever an artist needs to lay out a design that will be incorporated with an existing piece, such as a custom made knife with inlaid stone on the handle, the natural flow of the stone can lend itself quite well to creativity....
Continue with Working With Natural Flow »
Every good engraver knows and can attest to the fact that drawing (and practicing!) the elements of your designs leads to better engraved work. This drawing here is by current Emporia State University professor James Ehlers....
Continue with Great Slithering Scrolls! »
Although Marty Rabeno knows how to have a good laugh, he's no fool when it comes to engraving....
Continue with He's No Fool »
Mitchell Lurth recently engraved this GRS Low Profile Vise (#003-615). Perhaps you have seen Robert "Bob" Finlay's engraved MicroBlock or the MicroBlock with Sparkle by Alexander Sidorov and Dima Semenets, but this engraved vise is a much larger project in scale....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Adding Details »
Tools are these great inventions of man that make work easier. From hammers to saws to metal formers, jewelry work would be a bit more of a challenge without tools....
Continue with Flat or Curvy: Which Do You Prefer? »
GRS workholding blocks and vises aren't just heavy pieces of necessary engraving equipment. A vise can also become a workpiece itself....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Sneak Peek »
The luck of the Irish abounds on March 17, and this year some lucky bidder can really "feel the green."...
Continue with Feel The Green (St. Patrick's Day Engraving) »
For engravers, the styles and techniques being shared today seem to be limitless. But what happens when you decide you want something a little different to add to your skill set?...
Continue with Oh, The Possibilities »
Classes like the Deep Relief Engraving course with Robert "Bob" Finlay are always a fun way to dig into engraving, especially with the neat Western design for his 2011 course....
Continue with Sneak Peek: Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
When your canvas is only inches in length and width, you don't quite have the same freedom of artistic expression as with larger pieces. Although you have fewer decisions to make, the ones you do make are very important....
Continue with How To Fill A Small Space »
The ability to use creative skills for anything from everyday jewelry engraving to the most special occasions is one of the best parts of being a hand engraving artist. You can make gifts for family, loved ones, friends, and even yourself....
Continue with A Custom Seal »
One professional engraver at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, has the skills. You know, the skills that not only allow her to be an excellent teacher but also allow her to execute many styles of engraving....
Continue with Basics to Brights to Advanced »
One of the ideas behind Featured Photos is to give engravers and artists inspiration for their own work. Andy Gonzales of North Canton, Ohio, has found inspiration in work by Jake Newell who was recently featured....
Continue with "Picking" Your Custom Work »
From the Czech Republic comes Vlastic Peták, a European hand engraving artist whose stunningly lifelike work is always breathtaking, has shared a recent work with us....
Continue with To Make The Most Beautiful Gun »
Starting into uncharted territory can be an intimidating task when it comes to hand engraving. When jewelry has been your focus and firearms enter the picture (or vice versa), it can be hard not to consider the possibility of failure....
Continue with My First Engraved Firearm »
A few weeks ago on Featured Photos, we showed off hand engraving on an alternative to precious (and expensive) metals. Although it seems a few engravers out there can still work with these precious metals like silver and gold, being able to transition to metals like steel and copper is a good skill to have in any economy....
Continue with Mild Mannered Steel, Super Engraving »
With the day of couples around the corner, a sweet memento for your loved one — hand engraved, of course — is the perfect way to show you care....
Continue with A Sweet Valentine: Tira & Rob »
Lee Griffiths does his best to create work that is unique and beautiful. From spiders to hornblowers to historical scenes, his work shows his creativity....
Continue with Winning Big »
Artists in general have it easy when it comes to creating a new work. The privacy of a studio allows for mistakes, frustrations, and epiphanies to come and go with the flow of creativity....
Continue with A Public Affair »
Aside from the overall sparkle and shine of jewelry, it is often to the advantage of the wearer for the piece to have some kind of character. Something that makes the jewelry unique is always eye catching....
Continue with Bracelets with Culture »
As engravers, finding a place in the art world to market work can be tough given the current economy. One way to help your income is to expand to jewelry engraving....
Continue with Successful Jewelry Engraving »
If you build your house on sand, what kind of foundation for the future do you have? Probably not a very good one. You want something solid and strong, and the same goes for the art of engraving....
Continue with The Importance of the Basics »
With the price of gold into the astronomical limits of many engraving clients, alternative metals can still provide a custom piece with flash and style....
Continue with What Can You Do With Steel? »
Sam Welch has donated a great amount of his time to FEGA. From being a founding member to serving as President and Vice President for the guild, Sam felt that it was important to be a contributing benefactor to the organization that gave his career purpose years ago....
Continue with Music to My Graver »
Over and over again, new engravers find the challenge of cutting shade lines that both look "right" and are cut properly....
Continue with Finding the Sweet Spot in Shading »
American engraver Ron Smith is well-known for his beautiful hand engraved work. He also has written several books that provide countless engravers with inspiration and the knowledge to create better designs....
Continue with Inspired by Advanced Drawing »
Igor Tarantul of Israel recently sent in some photos of his work — and, wow, what beautiful artwork to behold!...
Continue with Engraving for a Wedding »
Holden Krom does not back down from the challenges that engraving has to offer. Instead, he embraces them....
Continue with New Challenges »
Michael Dubber has been a major contributor to FEGA since its inception in 1981. From being a founding member to serving as President of the Guild, he has made a lasting impact for the organization....
Continue with Giving Back »
Full Gold Inlaid Background & Deep Relief Engraving with Alain Lovenberg will certainly be a time in engraving to remember. In case you missed the 2011 course details, here you can admire a closer look at the project piece and read more about the course....
Continue with Full Gold Inlaid Background & Deep Relief Engraving »
Since the Grand Masters 2011 application is going to be available in only eleven days, how about a sneak peek at the project for Alain Lovenberg's engraving course?...
Continue with Sneak Peek: Lovenberg's Grand Masters Project »
Lee Griffiths was eager to give back to FEGA, the organization that provided so much for him while learning how to engrave. ...
Continue with Collaboration to Benefit FEGA »
When you are in the right place at the right time, you can learn new skills and techniques that you weren't even expecting....
Continue with Round and Round We Go »
Sometimes, students want to get right into a certain field or style of engraving. Although most students benefit from the broad knowledge found in a basic course, this one might be just right for you....
Continue with A Look At Basic Firearms Engraving »
Progressing through design work can be simple for some engraving artists, those like Marty Rabeno. With years of art teaching behind him, he can knock out a beautiful scroll design with several elements....
Continue with A Work in Progress, and Progressing Through Work »
When trying something new, experimentation can be a fun — albeit challenging — task. This Featured Photo is an ambigram designed and hand engraved by Tira Mitchell in an unusual metal called niobium. ...
Continue with Experimental Color: 2011 Learn Plate »
This Featured Photo is an ambigram designed and hand engraved by Tira Mitchell in an unusual metal called niobium. ...
Continue with No Matter How You Turn It: Tira's Learn Plate »
As many may know, the Firearms Engravers Guild of America will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2011....
Continue with 30th Anniversary Watch for FEGA »
While most people in the United States are filling up on leftover turkey, potatoes, and pies, not everyone cooks the traditional turkey for the Thanksgiving holiday. From vegetarian main dishes to other poultry, one bird that few will prepare is the focus of this beautiful firearm....
Continue with A Thanksgiving Bird, of Sorts »
Studying the works of great artists has long been a way to embellish one's own artistic skills. Much can be learned though the keen observation of great work. When combining these aesthetic sensibilities with technical savvy, the results will be appealing....
Continue with Technique Meets Inspiration »
Many times, the form of an art piece expresses more about the artist than of the art itself....
Continue with No Limits to Egg Carving »
For the last few years, GRS has commissioned one of our esteemed instructors to hand engrave a piece of artwork for the GRS Training Center's course schedule brochure....
Continue with The GRSTC "Learn" Plate »
It's almost that time of year again at GRS. The near-end of the calendar year marks the announcement of the upcoming course schedule....
Continue with Get Ready For 2011 »
The late Erich Boessler, an accomplished hand engraver from Germany, engraved this firearm with an interesting combination of detail and dimension....
Continue with Multidimensional Hand Engraving, Part 2 »
Taking cues from artists like Vincent van Gogh and relief and flare cut engraving techniques, hobbyist engraver Amanda Henson decided to bring this nocturnal night owl into the day with a background of bright cuts....
Continue with Owl Covered in Light »
Hand engraving artists find inspiration everywhere. From nature to manmade structures to events to fantastic creatures we can only realize in our dreams, artists can discover something new in art that already exists....
Continue with The Doodle Ring »
Aside from the challenges of learning how to sharpen gravers and how to make the tool go where it is supposed, the art and design of engraving can be another difficult aspect for beginners as well....
Continue with How to Frame A Scene »
Everyday objects like these door knobs can become works of art with a little planning and a little creativity....
Continue with Dress Up Your Home »
So perhaps this beautifully carved piece by professional engraver and wood carver Bill Janney doesn't quite bring out the aroma of roses, but they sure do look nicely done....
Continue with Sweet As Roses »
After the tempting taste of Lee Griffith's spaghetti scrolls, here is the full plate in all its detail and glory....
Continue with Food, Italians, and Scrolls: Part 2 »
So what do food, Italians, and scrolls have in common? Well, for this sneak peek at a plate by hand engraver Lee Griffiths, these three items describe what Lee calls this scroll style....
Continue with Food, Italians, and Scrolls »
Parallel lines of equal width can be difficult to keep on the straight and narrow when it comes to hand engraving. The use of a multiple line tool can simplify the work significantly....
Continue with Keep Your Cuts In Line »
Sam Alfano is known through out the world of engraving for his ability to execute shade lines and cuts with accuracy and flair....
Continue with Beautiful Cuts, Even on a Practice Plate »
Artists are included in the lucky few who can create something beautiful and meaningful that helps a great cause. Andrew Biggs of New Zealand engraved this bracelet for just such an occasion....
Continue with A Great Cause »
Scrolls, scrolls, and more scrolls. New engraving students come up against these mysteriously created and beautifully demonstrated design elements all the time. ...
Continue with On The Hunt...For Beautiful Scrolls »
Part of being an artist is having an eye for pleasing design. As an engraving artist, sometimes the project is a pendant with no adornment — a blank canvas. Other times, however, the artist must create a design that works with what is around it....
Continue with Matching Metal and Stone »
Sandra Brady, who teaches at the GRS Training Center, has created a nice and simple piece of scrimshaw work featuring a lovely horse....
Continue with We're Not Horsing Around »
Professional engraver and GRS Training Center instructor Diane Scalese shows here how to put stone setting, Western scrolls, and a multiple-line graver to good use....
Continue with Scrolls, Stones, and Lines »
This inspiring project by student intern Mitchell Lurth is a nicely done example of shading, bright cuts, and metal inlay....
Continue with Bits of Copper »
David Drake, a machinist who works at Glendo Corporation, has shared some of the work he does in his free time in a few previous Featured Photos....
Continue with Studying English Scroll »
A recent student of the GRS Grand Masters Program, Brian Powley hand engraved this striking hammerhead made by John Rohner....
Continue with A Striking Hammerhead »
With all the styles of engraving known to the art world, Western Bright Cut is certainly one of the flashiest around....
Continue with The Spur of the Moment »
Some jobs are what they are — engraving artists, however, have the opportunity to follow a path of creativity and fulfillment every time they sit down at a bench for work....
Continue with The Artisans in the Alley »
Today's engraved artwork comes from new intern Anneliese Narcisi. This piece features a good study on how to use lines expressively....
Continue with What Lies Beneath »
Peter Shoemaker, a new student intern in Glendo's Artisan Alley division of Research & Development, started out as an Art Education major at Emporia State University. ...
Continue with A Trap and A Vice »
Art can serve many purposes. It can be beautiful in and of itself. It can convey emotion. Art can also be used to comment on — and even critique — the events of daily life....
Continue with Activism and Engraving Arts »
The Grand Masters Program 2010 brought many engraving artists to the Emporia, Kansas, training facility. One of those engravers came all the way from Germany as a special guest....
Continue with Silver Roses »
Recently, Dennis McConnell Jr. attended the intensive and challenging course with Creative Art of Italy during the 2010 Grand Masters Program. While at the GRS Training Center, he shared photos of some of his work....
Continue with A Piece of the Pipeline »
Although the students in this year's Grand Masters are not yet finished, the master project plate for the two-week course is complete....
Continue with The Finished Grand Masters Plate »
One of the most impressive aspects of fine Italian bulino engraving is that the tiny cuts that create a whole element look accurate and alive....
Continue with The Wild Cat's Meow »
As the student engravers progress from sharpening to cutting, each one shows off a new cut to the master engravers from Italy....
Continue with Small Cuts, Great Rewards »
One dozen highly skilled engravers have all started the challenge of learning the skills presented by master engravers of Creative Art....
Continue with Grand Masters 2010 Begins »
The true importance of the 2010 Grand Masters Program may only be realized by a few people. With the art of engraving becoming an open and accessible trade, younger generations may soon forget the time and effort put forth by masters like Creative Art....
Continue with The Importance of the 2010 Grand Masters Program »
With Grand Masters soon approaching and a select few guests arriving the week before, the beautiful work of New Zealander Andrew Biggs is a nice way to prepare for the masters to come....
Continue with Biggs, Maori, and Magrette »
It's always great here at GRS to see students love the work they are doing in class. It's especially nice when the students really learn and get excited....
Continue with All In A Week's Work: Bracelets, Part 2 »
As the title suggests, these bracelet were all done in one week. Students at the GRS Training Center gathered together to learn how to make bracelets from start to finish, and they did just that....
Continue with All In A Week's Work: Bracelets, Part 1 »
Much like the Start-to-Finish Firearms Engraving course, the Bracelet Engraving Techniques course helps engravers learn how to make a project from beginning to end....
Continue with Make Your Own Bracelet »
Shading can be a difficult aspect of engraving to master. Once control has been attained to the point of smooth backbones and tapered cuts, shading an element properly really comes into play....
Continue with The Purpose of Shade Lines »
One of the coolest classes at the GRS Training Center is a course with instructor Rex Pedersen, professional engraver and President of FEGA. In just one week, students have the chance to completely engrave a firearm....
Continue with A Firearm, Engraved from Start to Finish »
Learning how to engrave is tough and has a pretty sharp learning curve. It takes years to become consistently good, and years and years beyond that to become a master....
Continue with Learning Heraldic Engraving »
As students in Steve Dunn's recent class jotted a name on a piece of paper and dropped it into the cup, the clock ticked closed to the end of the week. The GRSTC students had experienced the art of engraving first-hand, and had completed a hand engraved plate under deadline as well....
Continue with The Golden Graver Award: Part 2 »
The rules were simple: you can only vote once, and you can't vote for yourself. As students in Steve Dunn's recent engraving class gathered around the finished practice plates, everyone was ready to choose a favorite....
Continue with The Golden Graver Award: Part 1 »
It's always nice to give and receive presents. For those artistically-inclined, a wonderful way to say thank you is through hand engraved gifts....
Continue with A Nice Retirement Gift »
The fierceness of a wild stallion like this one certainly deserves a formidable treatment when depicted in metal. On a plate for the Deep Relief course at GRSTC with Robert "Bob" Finlay, this horse is coming to life through the hands of engraver Mike Frakes....
Continue with Carving A Wild Stallion in Metal »
The late Erich Boessler, an accomplished hand engraver from Germany, engraved this firearm with an interesting combination of detail and dimension....
Continue with Multidimensional Hand Engraving »
One of the aspects of hand engraving that deserves much study and practice before final execution is lettering. Lettering is such an important detail of fine hand engraving that James B. Meek dedicated an entire chapter to the subject in his book The Art of Engraving (#002-164)....
Continue with By The Letter »
James Ehlers, head of the Engraving Arts department at Emporia State University, is an engraver and printmaker who teaches his skills and the art of hand engraving to students at the university....
Continue with Artist-in-Residency: Printmaking and Engraving at GRS »
Anytime an artist can transpose a design to work for multiple canvases, the possibilities for financial and creative gain are limitless....
Continue with Leather Design Meets Metal Engraving »
Practicing how to execute styles like the large American scroll or the bold German scroll is a rewarding way to expand skills....
Continue with English Scroll Is Nice »
Todd Daniels is a professional engraver and quite masterful at incorporating his engraving skills with stone setting techniques. This copper pendant here demonstrates a neat way to put the two together for optimum shine and sparkle....
Continue with All About That Sparkle »
As an artist, it can be an emotional struggle sometimes when a client requests something that may not be the best fit for you or perhaps the canvas....
Continue with It's No Average Tie Pin »
When a stone setter has advanced to the masterful quality and perfect craftmanship shown in work like this pendant, there is no arguing with the skill behind the work....
Continue with Stunning Stone Setting »
Stainless steel is a great canvas that many engravers and jewelers can use in everyday work. Personalizing items like this Al Mar Cash Clip (#019-012) is a perfect way to include customization in a practical but nice finished piece....
Continue with Bringing Stone Setting and Engraving Together in Steel »
Steel and copper are hot in the metal arts world with the price of precious metals like gold and silver so high. Copper can be used in many engraving applications, including the jewelry arts....
Continue with A Copper of Many Colors »
ESU student Mitchell Lurth has already engraved one guitar and made it into a custom work of art, but he wanted a new project to hand engrave. He purchased this Epiphone Firebird, playing it for a few months while he developed designs and ideas for the engraving....
Continue with Engraving An Epiphone »
Tim Halloran of Iowa, who has been engraving since 1986, recently completed this nice 1860 Uberti Henry Replica Rifle for Aaron McMichael of Kansas....
Continue with 1860 Henry Replica Rifle, Engraved »
Starting out with engraving can open a door to a wonderful and fulfilling world of creativity. For some, engraving becomes a new medium and a unique canvas....
Continue with Engraving is Easier Than Ever »
The art of engraving, though once a skill that took years to learn and execute the basics, is more accessible than ever. With a basic engraving class and the right tools, this wonderful field can be applied to many projects....
Continue with Bead Stringing & Custom Hand Engraving »
Here is another neat work from Andrew Biggs, engraved on the Al Mar Cash Clip™ (#019-012), with the background on the design of this engraving....
Continue with Maori & Steel »
Andrew Biggs, who has a neat style that combines traditional New Zealand Maori art with his own creative flair, engraved this 416 stainless steel bracelet at the 2010 BASELWORLD Fair in Basel, Switzerland. Here, he describes the design and the meaning behind it....
Continue with Stainless Steel at BASELWORLD »
Here are more shots of the wonderful artwork on display at a church-turned-museum in Basel, Switzerland....
Continue with More Scroll in Stained Glass »
If ever you were in doubt about whether you could carve wood, now is the time to get past that feeling. Bill Janney, creator of several videos on how to carve wood, knows how to give new life to wood and can teach you how to get started....
Continue with Simple Fish Scales »
Sometimes the tools of the trade can become the workpiece itself. During the 2010 Inhorgenta exhibition in Munich and the 2010 BASELWORLD fair in Switzerland, Alexander Sidorov created and displayed this stone-set art piece he made from a stainless steel GRS Engravable Microblock (#003-685)....
Continue with Stainless Steel: A New "Gold" Standard »
Engravers are always on the lookout for examples of good and useful art, especially scrollwork, leaves and the like. During the BASELWORLD 2010 Fair, D.J. Glaser found these windows in a Basel museum (which was formerly an old church) to be particularly interesting if not stunning....
Continue with Church Window Artwork: Inspiring In Many Ways »
In general, an engraving may fall into one of three categories: function, ornamentation or art. With a project like the Stanley Cup, the hand engraving is simply for one function: to record and display names. A beautiful scroll pattern on a firearm may be artistic and creative, and yet not art....
Continue with Function, Ornament, Art »
With an array of colors more expansive than a rainbow, the ink that fills in those purposeful little lines of scrimshaw gives the art a vibrant dimension....
Continue with Bead Stringing for Scrimshaw »
The Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) Show occurs every year, with a mix of friends and fun, engraving and guns. During the show, some of those guns (and the engraving artists) receive well-deserved awards....
Continue with An Impression of the Past »
It's always great to see a customer and friend progress in hand engraving. As you can see here, hard work and practice pays off with English scrolls on an Al Mar Cash Clip (#019-012)....
Continue with A Hobby, A Gift »
Many finely engraved knives are handmade art pieces that never get used. But the right knife with an appropriate style of engraving can be used and appreciated every day....
Continue with Engraving Knives That Get Used »
Eyes are a naturally alluring subject, the "windows to soul" as the old saying goes. But regardless of how many artists portray these corporal parts, they are still a thing of beauty....
Continue with Beauty is In the Eye... »
Monograms are a great way to personalize anything from hand towels to luggage to pendants. Here is a look at a cool monogram by hand engraving artist Tira Mitchell....
Continue with GLENDO in Monogram »
Estonia is a lucky country to host such a cool and creative engraver. His name is Viljo Marrandi and he designed and engraved this DVD box....
Continue with A Wedding Present: Mixing Contemporary with Classic »
Whether you follow Featured Photos every Tuesday and Friday, or this is your first visit — you are in for a special treat! Today's feature is a very special preview of work from the 2010 Grand Masters....
Continue with Reality or Fantasy? A Sneak Peek at Grand Masters 2010 »
Sometimes, life is just funny. Whether it is the situation at hand or an ongoing ordeal, these quick moments in time can turn into a treasured memory....
Continue with "Dave" (or How I Learned My Name Isn't Brian if I Want To Get Paid) »
During the Inhorgenta 2010 Fair in Munich, Germany, Magnus Svärd decided to make something special for his son, Jesper, who was back home in Sweden....
Continue with Art or Vandalism? Graffiti, Engraved with Stone Setting »
ESU student Mitch Lurth is at it again, carving out delightful designs for his guitars....
Continue with Music to My Graver »
Carlo Cavedon is a traditional engraver who specializes in the art of knifemaking, scrimshaw and metal engraving in Italy. This is his "Rhino Skinner", with a beautiful red maple handle, mosaic pins, and a little ring made with red jasper. ...
Continue with Thick Hide, Tough Little Skinner »
This neat technique shows a different approach to engraving custom pieces like this cross by Diane Scalese. How did she do it? Read on......
Continue with Cut It Out »
Lee Griffiths has an eye for creative, unusual, and beautiful work. He can transition from cool dragons to creepy crawlers to these noble felines....
Continue with Scrolls and Tigers and Gold -- Oh, My! »
The fundamentals are fundamental. This could be said about many subjects for which we gain skills and knowledge: math, reading, science. If you don't know how addition works you might have a little trouble with geometry, right?...
Continue with The Fundamentals are Fundamental »
Sure, it is one thing to slave laboriously on slabs of steel in your private shop — but what about executing those same cuts while complete strangers watch?...
Continue with Demonstrating Cuts Like A Pro »
James Ehlers, an engraver, printmaker, and the current professor of the Engraving Arts program at Emporia State University, designed this monogram for GRS, drawing inspiration from a century-old book on monograms....
Continue with A Monogram for GRS »
Shown here is the final step in the Nicki Pendant by Ashton Ludden on a small engravable key tag. Ashton has taken this piece from outline to finished artwork with nice results....
Continue with Remembering A Dog Named Nicki: Part 2 »
Engraver and printmaker Ashton Ludden has made a few tags for four-legged friends before, but this one is for a special pup. Ludden memorialized "Nicki" with her bulino-style engraving here shown in progression....
Continue with Remembering A Dog Named Nicki: Part 1 »
With such a rich culture, New Zealander and hand engraving artist Andrew Biggs is a highly creative individual. This bracelet, shown in both flat and bent form, is a wonderful example of sculpted, three-dimensional engraving....
Continue with Tane, Lord of the (Engraved) Forest »
In May 2009, the GRS Training Center offered a new specialized engraving course taught by Sam Alfano. He is well known for a wide variety of expert engraving including his extraordinary lettering. ...
Continue with Special Hand Engraved Letters: A New Course Teaches How »
Personalization is a perk for many who shop online and buy laser engraved goods. Perhaps you cannot purchase a hand engraved computer or iPod, but you can sure do it yourself!...
Continue with Working the Line »
Recently featured here, Sam Alfano's bright cut lumenesque technique is a great way to quickly add luster to jewelry....
Continue with The Lumenesque in Copper »
Necessity can drive a person to do many things — one of which is hand engraving, in the case of bit and spur maker Rod Teuscher....
Continue with A Scorpion in Texas »
This is — or was — an everyday utility knife, the Buck Folding Hunter Model 110. David Drake is a CNC machinist who became interested in engraving when he went to work for Glendo, the manufacturer of GRS Tools. ...
Continue with Nicely Engraved Knife by a Hobbyist »
Traditional scrimshaw work on bone does not always create a feeling of unity through design. Here, Sandra Brady has wholly designed a set of scrimshaw pieces that are unified....
Continue with Creatively Shaped Scrimshaw »
While there are several styles of engraving — from photorealistic dot techniques to three-dimensional sculpting methods — the beauty of Western Bright Cut is undeniable....
Continue with Western Watch »
Recently on Featured Photos, Engraffitti™ bracelets by Weldon Lister showed off his new and secret technique for this cool effect....
Continue with A Puzzling Piece of Jewelry »
January • February • Show All Articles for 2012 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2011 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2010
January • February • Show All Articles for 2012 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2011 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2010 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2009
Marty Rabeno hand engraves large scrolls quite well. The scroll element is a part of designing for engraving that can be difficult to execute on a larger scale....
Continue with Getting the Big Picture »
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2010 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alexander Sidorov, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Martin Strolz, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alain Lovenberg, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ken Hunt, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill Returns, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill, 2005 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ron Smith, 2005 »
It is always nice to see a hand engraving artist flourish from the artistic training received at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with A Past Student Flourishes with GRSTC »
Jake Newell of Emporia, Kansas, does engraving work for William Henry Studio. Newell's knives feature luxurious gold and copper inlay mixed with crisp hand-engraved designs.
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Continue with Hand Engraving a William Henry »
If you haven't seen the newly released 2012 Course Schedule, it is definitely worth a peek! Classes fill quickly, especially courses like Advanced Stone Setting and Drawing & Designing Scenes, so call 800-835-3519 today for details.
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Continue with We're Part of Your Journey »
Diane Scalese has three different classes during the upcoming 2012 year of courses at the GRS Training Center, but they won't last long....
Continue with Scaling the Heights with Brights »
The work of hand engraving artist Mitchell Lurth from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will go out to thousands of GRS Training Center students by way of the cover artwork for the new 2012 GRSTC Course Calendar (call 800-835-3519 or request one online).
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Continue with The 2012 Learn Plate: Revealed! »
In the engraving world, what is more important than the actual engraving itself? The drawing process that results in that engraving is the most important part of the entire engraving.
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Continue with Draw, Draw, Draw...And Then Draw Some More »
Two and a half years ago, Kuan Ting Chen of Taiwan discovered GRS Tools. As a stone setter, he now has the capability to add hand engraving to his work.
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Continue with Stone Setting and Engraving from Taiwan »
A series of works is an easy and hard way to design. On one hand, you can choose the main element or focus of the series. On the other, you need to make each piece different and still unified throughout the series.
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Continue with What Jumped Over the Moon? »
With the online release of the 2012 GRSTC Course Schedule just weeks away, the printed calendar will be going out in the mail soon as well.
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Continue with Sneak Peek: 2012 Learn Plate »
English scroll is one of those traditional designs that work on a variety of workpieces. From firearms to jewelry, the English scroll is quite versatile.
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Continue with Keeping the English in Line! »
How can a wedding set be both a comfort and a sight to behold at the same time? When it has custom hand engraving!...
Continue with Custom Jewelry Sets »
Is it really almost 2012? Whether the world is going to end or we've still got a few generations left to go, there is at least one exciting thing to look forward to: a new training schedule!
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Continue with New Courses Are Coming! New Courses Are Coming! »
At the GRS Training Center, we see people from all backgrounds and on all different artistic paths.
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Continue with It Takes Two »
This fun and interesting piece is by James Ehlers, Professor of Engraving Arts at Emporia State University.
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Continue with Fresh and Hot Coiled Scrolls! »
Getting too close to the work under the scope and never taking an unmagnified look can cause an "uh-oh" moment when too much work is done to take a step back.
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Continue with Look Closely, Take a Step Back »
Hot diamonds in a circle, stone setters! What lovely lady wouldn't mind showing off this gorgeous band of stones on her finger?
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Continue with Between a Rock and Another Rock and Another Rock.... »
It's no secret that artists always enjoy the work of another artist. From these works, some draw inspiration, others aspiration, and others still simply admiration.
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Continue with An Artist's Trade »
Many engravers have much success engraving in gold and silver. With the cost going up every day for these precious metals, this engravable piece in steel and brass is really a shining example of how to get more from less.
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Continue with Sophistication, Sealed with Brass and Steel »
Need more clients? Putting yourself and your work "out there" is one way to make that happen. And, sometimes, work really does just fall into your hands.
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Continue with Gun Show Success! »
While graphic designer and hobby engraver Amanda Henson learned to cut with a microscope, the naked eye and a blank canvas is what she uses for engraving most of the time since taking a class.
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Continue with Engraving Can Just Be for Fun »
Steve Dunn sure knows how to throw a punch — when it comes to engraving backgrounds, at least!
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Continue with Throw the First Punch »
A follow-up to the curvy cuts Diane Scalese presented on this silver pendant from a recent class, this is one side of the finished pendant.
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Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders: Part 2 »
Looking back on the past can be a good way to reflect on the present. GRS Training Center instructor and engraving artist Rex Pedersen has a few old and personal photos to share. "These three photos are of my father," he says.
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Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 2 »
No matter what your idea of school looks like, our training is a cut above anything else. Unless, of course, you imagine one of the fantastic learning experiences provided at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with This Time, It's Personal »
Steven Landers, a hobbyist engraver currently residing in Alexandria, Virginia, will be finishing up a week of training at the GRSTC today.
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Continue with Student Work from Steven Landers »
What better way to usher in a new 56-page catalog (download it now!) than to grace the cover with a piece of history steeped in the modern world of engraving.
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Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 1 »
Some jobs call for complete coverage, or the surface containing all design and no blank space, and some call for a much simpler design....
Continue with Simple and Sleek »
One thing Marty will tell you about engraving is that it all starts with a good design. No matter how proficient you are with a graver, a poor design leads to a poor engraving....
Continue with Art Matters to Marty »
Recently, goldsmith Josiah Hanley took a class with Diane Scalese and Sam Alfano at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with The Future is Bright and Detailed »
Nothing says "wow" like the beautiful bright cuts from Diane Scalese.
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Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders »
One of the easiest ways to treat a background in engraving is total removal of the metal with a flat graver and a stipple tool. Although it takes more time, it can be fairly foolproof in execution.
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Continue with Background Treatments in Engraving »
Nothing is better to keep the heat away from the fine wood of your desk than a hand-engraved coaster from Jeremiah Watt.
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Continue with The Coolest Coffee Cup Coaster »
Andrew Gonzales had shown off some very neat engravings before here on Featured Photos, but this recent hobo nickel takes the cake. Or the village, maybe.
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Continue with A Hobo Nickel with an Axe to Grind »
Questions come in to us at GRS about getting started with gun engraving. With inquiries ranging from tools to design, the answers can most easily be answered by instructors like Rex Pedersen....
Continue with Rex Can Teach You, Too »
With a new course coming in a just a few days, we are all excited about the projects that students will be cranking out in the near future....
Continue with Let's Meet in the Middle »
With jewelry engraving, one of the most important decisions is what to do with the border. Although leaving a plain band of metal around the edge is certainly an option, check out this quick design cut by Todd Daniels.
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Continue with Crossing the Border »
Recently, Bob Finlay taught his class covering Deep Relief Engraving at the GRS Training Center. So that the students could have a one-of-a-kind project piece, Finlay himself drew out this great Western-themed design.
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Continue with Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
Creating scrolls that keep a viewer's eye going through the artwork is an important task in designing.
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Continue with Great Scrolls! »
Weldon Lister, who does high-quality hammer and chisel work as a hand engraving artist, recently created these designs for a very special event.
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Continue with GRS Buck Knife: It Cuts Like Butter »
Sometimes the worst situation can open opportunities you did not know existed. Take hand engraver Dossie Cribbs, whose life-changing event nearly a decade ago led him to a new art....
Continue with It Just Makes Sense »
Any time an engraver has a large, irregular piece for which to design, taking into consideration the entire surface area is a big issue....
Continue with Engraving with the Whole Piece in Mind »
As far as weapons go, knives are cool. Pistols are cool. But either one is best when it has custom artwork from hand engravers like Steve Dunn....
Continue with Get More "Dunn" with Pistol Engraving »
While it is customary for a man to give his wife a gift of jewelry, some find a jewelry shop that designs and fabricates unique, custom pieces....
Continue with Sweet, Thoughtful Jewelry – With A Carat of Stones! »
Sometimes the hardest part of self-teaching is not knowing what to do to get the end results....
Continue with Pistol Progression: An Important Part of Inlay »
What a gun! This .44 Magnum has been hand engraved by artist Brian Powley, and he has done a very nice job making the engraving unified with the piece as a whole. ...
Continue with Nice Features, Nice Engraving »
One of the many great things about art is that it is not required to be based in reality. With the invention of photography, art was replaced as a factual reproduction of life and allowed to become anything imaginable....
Continue with More from Rick Eaton »
The Meek Squirrel is a great project left behind by a well-respected authority on engraving. Originally, the design for this project was a simple illustration by James “Bruce” Meek, author of The Art of Engraving (#002-164)....
Continue with Free Project Available Now! »
When working with narrow or small spaces, the best option is often a symmetrical design like the one here by hand engraving artist Sam Alfano....
Continue with Small Space? Use Symmetry! »
We've heard it time and time again here at the GRS Training Center. Simply put, there is nothing quite like the one-on-one time students receive from our instructors....
Continue with It Takes A Pro »
Recently, Bob Finlay worked with hand engravers at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas on the skills of relief engraving....
Continue with Deep Relief Engraving with Bob Finlay »
Some love the beautiful nature of cold, hard steel uninterrupted by imperfections in the metal. ...
Continue with Steel Beauty »
On the flip side of Alexander Sidorov's recreation of Damascus steel on this William Henry knife, Sidorov has brightened up the piece with stones....
Continue with The Brighter Side of Knife »
Michal Molnar and Igor Fabry of Molnar Fabry have been making beautiful, 'skeletonized' watches since 2006. To date, they have sold 12 of 15 one-of-a-kind pieces....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 2 »
One of the neatest movements in the art of watchmaking is 'skeletonizing' a timepiece. Two craftsmen from the Slovak Republic have turned their passion for an artistic hobby into a fine art business....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 1 »
Damascus steel is a method of folding and fabricating a blade that turns out a beautiful pattern in the metal. With this William Henry knife, Alexander Sidorov have created a similar look....
Continue with Make It Look Like Damascus »
This piece by Sergej Manaeko shows off his talent, much like his hand-engraved watch face in the previous Featured Photos article....
Continue with Engrave & Pierce »
A timepiece can provide more than just how many hours are left in the day; it can also can show off artistry and skill....
Continue with A Little Hand-Engraved Facetime »
Much like the beautiful brass and purple anodized prototype from GRSTC instructor and professional artist Todd Daniels, here is another watch bezel from this creative artist....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel, Part 2 »
A neat technique to consider when working on a design for your piece is incorporating the use of line. This piece by knifemaker and engraver Rick Eaton is a fine example of creating interest and movement with line....
Continue with Using Line in Your Design »
At the recent BASELWORLD trade fair in Basel, Switzerland, master stone setter and artist Alexander Sidorov demonstrated his highly polished skills for the crowds who visited the GRS Tools / Glendo USA show booth....
Continue with "Watch" and Learn »
Of course, it is undeniable the skill that Alexander Sidorov infuses into every single piece of work that he creates. Aside from the beautiful form, Sidorov also pays attention to color theory to produce striking results....
Continue with Using Color in Jewelry Design »
On list of possible themes, "totem poles" seemed like a good project for Jake Newell before he started on this project for William Henry Studio. A graduate of Emporia State University in the Engraving Arts program, Newell has been engraving professionally for almost a year....
Continue with A William Henry Totem: Letting Creativity Flow »
Whether chrome plated or sterling like this loupe, many engravers and jewelers like to embellish their personal loupe....
Continue with Embellish Your Loupe »
With the price of gold, what can you do but find a substitute for some projects? As shown here on this vise, brass can make for a lovely alternative for inlay....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Brass Happy »
Rex Pedersen, a charter member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America, will be teaching a course next week that is always a blast (pun intended!) for his students....
Continue with Oh, Henry. »
Unlike what most engravers cut, Bob Finlay presents his skills in an absolutely three-dimensional style that is striking. And the best part? You can learn how to engrave like Bob!...
Continue with What A Relief! »
Every year brings something new when the GRS Training Center courses begin. With the likes of professional engravers Marty Rabeno and Diane Scalese, students have had the opportunity of a lifetime to learn directly from these experienced artists during the first week of classes....
Continue with 2011 Training Courses Begin! »
Sorting out the details of a prototype can be easily done when less expensive materials, like this stainless steel watch bezel (#011-383), are available to use....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel »
Recently, Andrew Biggs of New Zealand demonstrated for GRS at the BASELWorld show in Switzerland. New to this role, he did an excellent job showing off his engraving skills for the crowds....
Continue with What Do New Zealand and Switzerland Have in Common? »
How often now with our busy schedules do we hear words like telecommute, video chat, or virtual learning? In this day of technology, it is easy to forego traditional means of communication and education....
Continue with Hands On, In Person »
Typically, what would be negative space inside the backbone of a scroll is filled with leaves. However, knifemaker and engraver Steve Dunn has taken a different approach with this design....
Continue with What Goes Inside the Scroll? »
Although this knife in its complete form was recently featured last December, this celebration piece for FEGA by Lee Griffiths has beautiful scrollwork that deserves a close up....
Continue with Overlapping & Shade Lines »
Whenever an artist needs to lay out a design that will be incorporated with an existing piece, such as a custom made knife with inlaid stone on the handle, the natural flow of the stone can lend itself quite well to creativity....
Continue with Working With Natural Flow »
Every good engraver knows and can attest to the fact that drawing (and practicing!) the elements of your designs leads to better engraved work. This drawing here is by current Emporia State University professor James Ehlers....
Continue with Great Slithering Scrolls! »
Although Marty Rabeno knows how to have a good laugh, he's no fool when it comes to engraving....
Continue with He's No Fool »
Mitchell Lurth recently engraved this GRS Low Profile Vise (#003-615). Perhaps you have seen Robert "Bob" Finlay's engraved MicroBlock or the MicroBlock with Sparkle by Alexander Sidorov and Dima Semenets, but this engraved vise is a much larger project in scale....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Adding Details »
Tools are these great inventions of man that make work easier. From hammers to saws to metal formers, jewelry work would be a bit more of a challenge without tools....
Continue with Flat or Curvy: Which Do You Prefer? »
GRS workholding blocks and vises aren't just heavy pieces of necessary engraving equipment. A vise can also become a workpiece itself....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Sneak Peek »
The luck of the Irish abounds on March 17, and this year some lucky bidder can really "feel the green."...
Continue with Feel The Green (St. Patrick's Day Engraving) »
For engravers, the styles and techniques being shared today seem to be limitless. But what happens when you decide you want something a little different to add to your skill set?...
Continue with Oh, The Possibilities »
Classes like the Deep Relief Engraving course with Robert "Bob" Finlay are always a fun way to dig into engraving, especially with the neat Western design for his 2011 course....
Continue with Sneak Peek: Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
When your canvas is only inches in length and width, you don't quite have the same freedom of artistic expression as with larger pieces. Although you have fewer decisions to make, the ones you do make are very important....
Continue with How To Fill A Small Space »
The ability to use creative skills for anything from everyday jewelry engraving to the most special occasions is one of the best parts of being a hand engraving artist. You can make gifts for family, loved ones, friends, and even yourself....
Continue with A Custom Seal »
One professional engraver at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, has the skills. You know, the skills that not only allow her to be an excellent teacher but also allow her to execute many styles of engraving....
Continue with Basics to Brights to Advanced »
One of the ideas behind Featured Photos is to give engravers and artists inspiration for their own work. Andy Gonzales of North Canton, Ohio, has found inspiration in work by Jake Newell who was recently featured....
Continue with "Picking" Your Custom Work »
From the Czech Republic comes Vlastic Peták, a European hand engraving artist whose stunningly lifelike work is always breathtaking, has shared a recent work with us....
Continue with To Make The Most Beautiful Gun »
Starting into uncharted territory can be an intimidating task when it comes to hand engraving. When jewelry has been your focus and firearms enter the picture (or vice versa), it can be hard not to consider the possibility of failure....
Continue with My First Engraved Firearm »
A few weeks ago on Featured Photos, we showed off hand engraving on an alternative to precious (and expensive) metals. Although it seems a few engravers out there can still work with these precious metals like silver and gold, being able to transition to metals like steel and copper is a good skill to have in any economy....
Continue with Mild Mannered Steel, Super Engraving »
With the day of couples around the corner, a sweet memento for your loved one — hand engraved, of course — is the perfect way to show you care....
Continue with A Sweet Valentine: Tira & Rob »
Lee Griffiths does his best to create work that is unique and beautiful. From spiders to hornblowers to historical scenes, his work shows his creativity....
Continue with Winning Big »
Artists in general have it easy when it comes to creating a new work. The privacy of a studio allows for mistakes, frustrations, and epiphanies to come and go with the flow of creativity....
Continue with A Public Affair »
Aside from the overall sparkle and shine of jewelry, it is often to the advantage of the wearer for the piece to have some kind of character. Something that makes the jewelry unique is always eye catching....
Continue with Bracelets with Culture »
As engravers, finding a place in the art world to market work can be tough given the current economy. One way to help your income is to expand to jewelry engraving....
Continue with Successful Jewelry Engraving »
If you build your house on sand, what kind of foundation for the future do you have? Probably not a very good one. You want something solid and strong, and the same goes for the art of engraving....
Continue with The Importance of the Basics »
With the price of gold into the astronomical limits of many engraving clients, alternative metals can still provide a custom piece with flash and style....
Continue with What Can You Do With Steel? »
Sam Welch has donated a great amount of his time to FEGA. From being a founding member to serving as President and Vice President for the guild, Sam felt that it was important to be a contributing benefactor to the organization that gave his career purpose years ago....
Continue with Music to My Graver »
Over and over again, new engravers find the challenge of cutting shade lines that both look "right" and are cut properly....
Continue with Finding the Sweet Spot in Shading »
American engraver Ron Smith is well-known for his beautiful hand engraved work. He also has written several books that provide countless engravers with inspiration and the knowledge to create better designs....
Continue with Inspired by Advanced Drawing »
Igor Tarantul of Israel recently sent in some photos of his work — and, wow, what beautiful artwork to behold!...
Continue with Engraving for a Wedding »
Holden Krom does not back down from the challenges that engraving has to offer. Instead, he embraces them....
Continue with New Challenges »
Michael Dubber has been a major contributor to FEGA since its inception in 1981. From being a founding member to serving as President of the Guild, he has made a lasting impact for the organization....
Continue with Giving Back »
Full Gold Inlaid Background & Deep Relief Engraving with Alain Lovenberg will certainly be a time in engraving to remember. In case you missed the 2011 course details, here you can admire a closer look at the project piece and read more about the course....
Continue with Full Gold Inlaid Background & Deep Relief Engraving »
Since the Grand Masters 2011 application is going to be available in only eleven days, how about a sneak peek at the project for Alain Lovenberg's engraving course?...
Continue with Sneak Peek: Lovenberg's Grand Masters Project »
Lee Griffiths was eager to give back to FEGA, the organization that provided so much for him while learning how to engrave. ...
Continue with Collaboration to Benefit FEGA »
When you are in the right place at the right time, you can learn new skills and techniques that you weren't even expecting....
Continue with Round and Round We Go »
Sometimes, students want to get right into a certain field or style of engraving. Although most students benefit from the broad knowledge found in a basic course, this one might be just right for you....
Continue with A Look At Basic Firearms Engraving »
Progressing through design work can be simple for some engraving artists, those like Marty Rabeno. With years of art teaching behind him, he can knock out a beautiful scroll design with several elements....
Continue with A Work in Progress, and Progressing Through Work »
When trying something new, experimentation can be a fun — albeit challenging — task. This Featured Photo is an ambigram designed and hand engraved by Tira Mitchell in an unusual metal called niobium. ...
Continue with Experimental Color: 2011 Learn Plate »
This Featured Photo is an ambigram designed and hand engraved by Tira Mitchell in an unusual metal called niobium. ...
Continue with No Matter How You Turn It: Tira's Learn Plate »
As many may know, the Firearms Engravers Guild of America will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2011....
Continue with 30th Anniversary Watch for FEGA »
While most people in the United States are filling up on leftover turkey, potatoes, and pies, not everyone cooks the traditional turkey for the Thanksgiving holiday. From vegetarian main dishes to other poultry, one bird that few will prepare is the focus of this beautiful firearm....
Continue with A Thanksgiving Bird, of Sorts »
Studying the works of great artists has long been a way to embellish one's own artistic skills. Much can be learned though the keen observation of great work. When combining these aesthetic sensibilities with technical savvy, the results will be appealing....
Continue with Technique Meets Inspiration »
Many times, the form of an art piece expresses more about the artist than of the art itself....
Continue with No Limits to Egg Carving »
For the last few years, GRS has commissioned one of our esteemed instructors to hand engrave a piece of artwork for the GRS Training Center's course schedule brochure....
Continue with The GRSTC "Learn" Plate »
It's almost that time of year again at GRS. The near-end of the calendar year marks the announcement of the upcoming course schedule....
Continue with Get Ready For 2011 »
The late Erich Boessler, an accomplished hand engraver from Germany, engraved this firearm with an interesting combination of detail and dimension....
Continue with Multidimensional Hand Engraving, Part 2 »
Taking cues from artists like Vincent van Gogh and relief and flare cut engraving techniques, hobbyist engraver Amanda Henson decided to bring this nocturnal night owl into the day with a background of bright cuts....
Continue with Owl Covered in Light »
Hand engraving artists find inspiration everywhere. From nature to manmade structures to events to fantastic creatures we can only realize in our dreams, artists can discover something new in art that already exists....
Continue with The Doodle Ring »
Aside from the challenges of learning how to sharpen gravers and how to make the tool go where it is supposed, the art and design of engraving can be another difficult aspect for beginners as well....
Continue with How to Frame A Scene »
Everyday objects like these door knobs can become works of art with a little planning and a little creativity....
Continue with Dress Up Your Home »
So perhaps this beautifully carved piece by professional engraver and wood carver Bill Janney doesn't quite bring out the aroma of roses, but they sure do look nicely done....
Continue with Sweet As Roses »
After the tempting taste of Lee Griffith's spaghetti scrolls, here is the full plate in all its detail and glory....
Continue with Food, Italians, and Scrolls: Part 2 »
So what do food, Italians, and scrolls have in common? Well, for this sneak peek at a plate by hand engraver Lee Griffiths, these three items describe what Lee calls this scroll style....
Continue with Food, Italians, and Scrolls »
Parallel lines of equal width can be difficult to keep on the straight and narrow when it comes to hand engraving. The use of a multiple line tool can simplify the work significantly....
Continue with Keep Your Cuts In Line »
Sam Alfano is known through out the world of engraving for his ability to execute shade lines and cuts with accuracy and flair....
Continue with Beautiful Cuts, Even on a Practice Plate »
Artists are included in the lucky few who can create something beautiful and meaningful that helps a great cause. Andrew Biggs of New Zealand engraved this bracelet for just such an occasion....
Continue with A Great Cause »
Scrolls, scrolls, and more scrolls. New engraving students come up against these mysteriously created and beautifully demonstrated design elements all the time. ...
Continue with On The Hunt...For Beautiful Scrolls »
Part of being an artist is having an eye for pleasing design. As an engraving artist, sometimes the project is a pendant with no adornment — a blank canvas. Other times, however, the artist must create a design that works with what is around it....
Continue with Matching Metal and Stone »
Sandra Brady, who teaches at the GRS Training Center, has created a nice and simple piece of scrimshaw work featuring a lovely horse....
Continue with We're Not Horsing Around »
Professional engraver and GRS Training Center instructor Diane Scalese shows here how to put stone setting, Western scrolls, and a multiple-line graver to good use....
Continue with Scrolls, Stones, and Lines »
This inspiring project by student intern Mitchell Lurth is a nicely done example of shading, bright cuts, and metal inlay....
Continue with Bits of Copper »
David Drake, a machinist who works at Glendo Corporation, has shared some of the work he does in his free time in a few previous Featured Photos....
Continue with Studying English Scroll »
A recent student of the GRS Grand Masters Program, Brian Powley hand engraved this striking hammerhead made by John Rohner....
Continue with A Striking Hammerhead »
With all the styles of engraving known to the art world, Western Bright Cut is certainly one of the flashiest around....
Continue with The Spur of the Moment »
Some jobs are what they are — engraving artists, however, have the opportunity to follow a path of creativity and fulfillment every time they sit down at a bench for work....
Continue with The Artisans in the Alley »
Today's engraved artwork comes from new intern Anneliese Narcisi. This piece features a good study on how to use lines expressively....
Continue with What Lies Beneath »
Peter Shoemaker, a new student intern in Glendo's Artisan Alley division of Research & Development, started out as an Art Education major at Emporia State University. ...
Continue with A Trap and A Vice »
Art can serve many purposes. It can be beautiful in and of itself. It can convey emotion. Art can also be used to comment on — and even critique — the events of daily life....
Continue with Activism and Engraving Arts »
The Grand Masters Program 2010 brought many engraving artists to the Emporia, Kansas, training facility. One of those engravers came all the way from Germany as a special guest....
Continue with Silver Roses »
Recently, Dennis McConnell Jr. attended the intensive and challenging course with Creative Art of Italy during the 2010 Grand Masters Program. While at the GRS Training Center, he shared photos of some of his work....
Continue with A Piece of the Pipeline »
Although the students in this year's Grand Masters are not yet finished, the master project plate for the two-week course is complete....
Continue with The Finished Grand Masters Plate »
One of the most impressive aspects of fine Italian bulino engraving is that the tiny cuts that create a whole element look accurate and alive....
Continue with The Wild Cat's Meow »
As the student engravers progress from sharpening to cutting, each one shows off a new cut to the master engravers from Italy....
Continue with Small Cuts, Great Rewards »
One dozen highly skilled engravers have all started the challenge of learning the skills presented by master engravers of Creative Art....
Continue with Grand Masters 2010 Begins »
The true importance of the 2010 Grand Masters Program may only be realized by a few people. With the art of engraving becoming an open and accessible trade, younger generations may soon forget the time and effort put forth by masters like Creative Art....
Continue with The Importance of the 2010 Grand Masters Program »
With Grand Masters soon approaching and a select few guests arriving the week before, the beautiful work of New Zealander Andrew Biggs is a nice way to prepare for the masters to come....
Continue with Biggs, Maori, and Magrette »
It's always great here at GRS to see students love the work they are doing in class. It's especially nice when the students really learn and get excited....
Continue with All In A Week's Work: Bracelets, Part 2 »
As the title suggests, these bracelet were all done in one week. Students at the GRS Training Center gathered together to learn how to make bracelets from start to finish, and they did just that....
Continue with All In A Week's Work: Bracelets, Part 1 »
Much like the Start-to-Finish Firearms Engraving course, the Bracelet Engraving Techniques course helps engravers learn how to make a project from beginning to end....
Continue with Make Your Own Bracelet »
Shading can be a difficult aspect of engraving to master. Once control has been attained to the point of smooth backbones and tapered cuts, shading an element properly really comes into play....
Continue with The Purpose of Shade Lines »
One of the coolest classes at the GRS Training Center is a course with instructor Rex Pedersen, professional engraver and President of FEGA. In just one week, students have the chance to completely engrave a firearm....
Continue with A Firearm, Engraved from Start to Finish »
Learning how to engrave is tough and has a pretty sharp learning curve. It takes years to become consistently good, and years and years beyond that to become a master....
Continue with Learning Heraldic Engraving »
As students in Steve Dunn's recent class jotted a name on a piece of paper and dropped it into the cup, the clock ticked closed to the end of the week. The GRSTC students had experienced the art of engraving first-hand, and had completed a hand engraved plate under deadline as well....
Continue with The Golden Graver Award: Part 2 »
The rules were simple: you can only vote once, and you can't vote for yourself. As students in Steve Dunn's recent engraving class gathered around the finished practice plates, everyone was ready to choose a favorite....
Continue with The Golden Graver Award: Part 1 »
It's always nice to give and receive presents. For those artistically-inclined, a wonderful way to say thank you is through hand engraved gifts....
Continue with A Nice Retirement Gift »
The fierceness of a wild stallion like this one certainly deserves a formidable treatment when depicted in metal. On a plate for the Deep Relief course at GRSTC with Robert "Bob" Finlay, this horse is coming to life through the hands of engraver Mike Frakes....
Continue with Carving A Wild Stallion in Metal »
The late Erich Boessler, an accomplished hand engraver from Germany, engraved this firearm with an interesting combination of detail and dimension....
Continue with Multidimensional Hand Engraving »
One of the aspects of hand engraving that deserves much study and practice before final execution is lettering. Lettering is such an important detail of fine hand engraving that James B. Meek dedicated an entire chapter to the subject in his book The Art of Engraving (#002-164)....
Continue with By The Letter »
James Ehlers, head of the Engraving Arts department at Emporia State University, is an engraver and printmaker who teaches his skills and the art of hand engraving to students at the university....
Continue with Artist-in-Residency: Printmaking and Engraving at GRS »
Anytime an artist can transpose a design to work for multiple canvases, the possibilities for financial and creative gain are limitless....
Continue with Leather Design Meets Metal Engraving »
Practicing how to execute styles like the large American scroll or the bold German scroll is a rewarding way to expand skills....
Continue with English Scroll Is Nice »
Todd Daniels is a professional engraver and quite masterful at incorporating his engraving skills with stone setting techniques. This copper pendant here demonstrates a neat way to put the two together for optimum shine and sparkle....
Continue with All About That Sparkle »
As an artist, it can be an emotional struggle sometimes when a client requests something that may not be the best fit for you or perhaps the canvas....
Continue with It's No Average Tie Pin »
When a stone setter has advanced to the masterful quality and perfect craftmanship shown in work like this pendant, there is no arguing with the skill behind the work....
Continue with Stunning Stone Setting »
Stainless steel is a great canvas that many engravers and jewelers can use in everyday work. Personalizing items like this Al Mar Cash Clip (#019-012) is a perfect way to include customization in a practical but nice finished piece....
Continue with Bringing Stone Setting and Engraving Together in Steel »
Steel and copper are hot in the metal arts world with the price of precious metals like gold and silver so high. Copper can be used in many engraving applications, including the jewelry arts....
Continue with A Copper of Many Colors »
ESU student Mitchell Lurth has already engraved one guitar and made it into a custom work of art, but he wanted a new project to hand engrave. He purchased this Epiphone Firebird, playing it for a few months while he developed designs and ideas for the engraving....
Continue with Engraving An Epiphone »
Tim Halloran of Iowa, who has been engraving since 1986, recently completed this nice 1860 Uberti Henry Replica Rifle for Aaron McMichael of Kansas....
Continue with 1860 Henry Replica Rifle, Engraved »
Starting out with engraving can open a door to a wonderful and fulfilling world of creativity. For some, engraving becomes a new medium and a unique canvas....
Continue with Engraving is Easier Than Ever »
The art of engraving, though once a skill that took years to learn and execute the basics, is more accessible than ever. With a basic engraving class and the right tools, this wonderful field can be applied to many projects....
Continue with Bead Stringing & Custom Hand Engraving »
Here is another neat work from Andrew Biggs, engraved on the Al Mar Cash Clip™ (#019-012), with the background on the design of this engraving....
Continue with Maori & Steel »
Andrew Biggs, who has a neat style that combines traditional New Zealand Maori art with his own creative flair, engraved this 416 stainless steel bracelet at the 2010 BASELWORLD Fair in Basel, Switzerland. Here, he describes the design and the meaning behind it....
Continue with Stainless Steel at BASELWORLD »
Here are more shots of the wonderful artwork on display at a church-turned-museum in Basel, Switzerland....
Continue with More Scroll in Stained Glass »
If ever you were in doubt about whether you could carve wood, now is the time to get past that feeling. Bill Janney, creator of several videos on how to carve wood, knows how to give new life to wood and can teach you how to get started....
Continue with Simple Fish Scales »
Sometimes the tools of the trade can become the workpiece itself. During the 2010 Inhorgenta exhibition in Munich and the 2010 BASELWORLD fair in Switzerland, Alexander Sidorov created and displayed this stone-set art piece he made from a stainless steel GRS Engravable Microblock (#003-685)....
Continue with Stainless Steel: A New "Gold" Standard »
Engravers are always on the lookout for examples of good and useful art, especially scrollwork, leaves and the like. During the BASELWORLD 2010 Fair, D.J. Glaser found these windows in a Basel museum (which was formerly an old church) to be particularly interesting if not stunning....
Continue with Church Window Artwork: Inspiring In Many Ways »
In general, an engraving may fall into one of three categories: function, ornamentation or art. With a project like the Stanley Cup, the hand engraving is simply for one function: to record and display names. A beautiful scroll pattern on a firearm may be artistic and creative, and yet not art....
Continue with Function, Ornament, Art »
With an array of colors more expansive than a rainbow, the ink that fills in those purposeful little lines of scrimshaw gives the art a vibrant dimension....
Continue with Bead Stringing for Scrimshaw »
The Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) Show occurs every year, with a mix of friends and fun, engraving and guns. During the show, some of those guns (and the engraving artists) receive well-deserved awards....
Continue with An Impression of the Past »
It's always great to see a customer and friend progress in hand engraving. As you can see here, hard work and practice pays off with English scrolls on an Al Mar Cash Clip (#019-012)....
Continue with A Hobby, A Gift »
Many finely engraved knives are handmade art pieces that never get used. But the right knife with an appropriate style of engraving can be used and appreciated every day....
Continue with Engraving Knives That Get Used »
Eyes are a naturally alluring subject, the "windows to soul" as the old saying goes. But regardless of how many artists portray these corporal parts, they are still a thing of beauty....
Continue with Beauty is In the Eye... »
Monograms are a great way to personalize anything from hand towels to luggage to pendants. Here is a look at a cool monogram by hand engraving artist Tira Mitchell....
Continue with GLENDO in Monogram »
Estonia is a lucky country to host such a cool and creative engraver. His name is Viljo Marrandi and he designed and engraved this DVD box....
Continue with A Wedding Present: Mixing Contemporary with Classic »
Whether you follow Featured Photos every Tuesday and Friday, or this is your first visit — you are in for a special treat! Today's feature is a very special preview of work from the 2010 Grand Masters....
Continue with Reality or Fantasy? A Sneak Peek at Grand Masters 2010 »
Sometimes, life is just funny. Whether it is the situation at hand or an ongoing ordeal, these quick moments in time can turn into a treasured memory....
Continue with "Dave" (or How I Learned My Name Isn't Brian if I Want To Get Paid) »
During the Inhorgenta 2010 Fair in Munich, Germany, Magnus Svärd decided to make something special for his son, Jesper, who was back home in Sweden....
Continue with Art or Vandalism? Graffiti, Engraved with Stone Setting »
ESU student Mitch Lurth is at it again, carving out delightful designs for his guitars....
Continue with Music to My Graver »
Carlo Cavedon is a traditional engraver who specializes in the art of knifemaking, scrimshaw and metal engraving in Italy. This is his "Rhino Skinner", with a beautiful red maple handle, mosaic pins, and a little ring made with red jasper. ...
Continue with Thick Hide, Tough Little Skinner »
This neat technique shows a different approach to engraving custom pieces like this cross by Diane Scalese. How did she do it? Read on......
Continue with Cut It Out »
Lee Griffiths has an eye for creative, unusual, and beautiful work. He can transition from cool dragons to creepy crawlers to these noble felines....
Continue with Scrolls and Tigers and Gold -- Oh, My! »
The fundamentals are fundamental. This could be said about many subjects for which we gain skills and knowledge: math, reading, science. If you don't know how addition works you might have a little trouble with geometry, right?...
Continue with The Fundamentals are Fundamental »
Sure, it is one thing to slave laboriously on slabs of steel in your private shop — but what about executing those same cuts while complete strangers watch?...
Continue with Demonstrating Cuts Like A Pro »
James Ehlers, an engraver, printmaker, and the current professor of the Engraving Arts program at Emporia State University, designed this monogram for GRS, drawing inspiration from a century-old book on monograms....
Continue with A Monogram for GRS »
Shown here is the final step in the Nicki Pendant by Ashton Ludden on a small engravable key tag. Ashton has taken this piece from outline to finished artwork with nice results....
Continue with Remembering A Dog Named Nicki: Part 2 »
Engraver and printmaker Ashton Ludden has made a few tags for four-legged friends before, but this one is for a special pup. Ludden memorialized "Nicki" with her bulino-style engraving here shown in progression....
Continue with Remembering A Dog Named Nicki: Part 1 »
With such a rich culture, New Zealander and hand engraving artist Andrew Biggs is a highly creative individual. This bracelet, shown in both flat and bent form, is a wonderful example of sculpted, three-dimensional engraving....
Continue with Tane, Lord of the (Engraved) Forest »
In May 2009, the GRS Training Center offered a new specialized engraving course taught by Sam Alfano. He is well known for a wide variety of expert engraving including his extraordinary lettering. ...
Continue with Special Hand Engraved Letters: A New Course Teaches How »
Personalization is a perk for many who shop online and buy laser engraved goods. Perhaps you cannot purchase a hand engraved computer or iPod, but you can sure do it yourself!...
Continue with Working the Line »
Recently featured here, Sam Alfano's bright cut lumenesque technique is a great way to quickly add luster to jewelry....
Continue with The Lumenesque in Copper »
Necessity can drive a person to do many things — one of which is hand engraving, in the case of bit and spur maker Rod Teuscher....
Continue with A Scorpion in Texas »
This is — or was — an everyday utility knife, the Buck Folding Hunter Model 110. David Drake is a CNC machinist who became interested in engraving when he went to work for Glendo, the manufacturer of GRS Tools. ...
Continue with Nicely Engraved Knife by a Hobbyist »
Traditional scrimshaw work on bone does not always create a feeling of unity through design. Here, Sandra Brady has wholly designed a set of scrimshaw pieces that are unified....
Continue with Creatively Shaped Scrimshaw »
While there are several styles of engraving — from photorealistic dot techniques to three-dimensional sculpting methods — the beauty of Western Bright Cut is undeniable....
Continue with Western Watch »
Recently on Featured Photos, Engraffitti™ bracelets by Weldon Lister showed off his new and secret technique for this cool effect....
Continue with A Puzzling Piece of Jewelry »
Rick Eaton makes custom knives, but he doesn't stop there. He also engraves his custom knives, adding flush gold inlay and fine line shading. But he doesn't stop there either — he also teaches other engravers how to do the same....
Continue with Get Into Custom Knife Engraving »
College art students are famous for running low on time and money. Mitchell Lurth, a student in the Engraving Arts program at Emporia State University, cleverly designed one of his graded college art projects so it could also be his mother's Christmas present....
Continue with Art Student Gets 2-For-1 »
A stainless steel key fob is a great way to practice your skills — especially before executing a technique on an expensive piece....
Continue with Practice is Valuable »
A technique dating back many centuries, trompe l'oeil or "fool the eye" is a creative method for making two-dimensional artwork appear as if tangible and three-dimensional....
Continue with A Trompe L'oeil in Miniature »
Sam Alfano has a treasure of knowledge stored up from his many years as a hand engraving artist. One beautiful design technique that he uses is his lumenesque scroll....
Continue with The Lumenesque Scroll »
Using bright cut techniques, engraver Brian Powley finishes out the sparkling surface of these high-quality flutes with engraved designs....
Continue with Musical "Lip" Service »
Ralph Bone was a man with an excellent and remarkably broad skill set....
Continue with A Gentleman's Knife »
Sometimes engraving is the focus of a career. In John Cameron's case, it's the "icing" on his handcrafted woodwork....
Continue with Embellishing Handcrafted Furniture »
Creating a custom piece for a client using existing stones is a great way to turn out beautiful pieces of jewelry....
Continue with Aquamarine and White Gold, Cathedral-Style »
One of the goals of the Featured Photos section of the GRS site is to provide pieces of engraving, stone setting, and similar works so that another artist may be inspired....
Continue with Finding Inspiration »
Alain Lovenberg is a master of many styles. Whether he is working with lines or sculpting, his work is astonishing to say the least....
Continue with What A "Purdey" Gun »
Jean Santos of France is a hobby knifemaker and engraver. Like Tira Mitchell's titanium ring featured in August, Santos has anodized these beautiful pendants to give them a bit of color....
Continue with Japanese Beauties »
It's finally done; Mitchell Lurth has now completed his first custom engraved electric guitar during fall 2009. Previously, in Part 1 and Part 2, you saw Mitch develop the design and then start engraving. ...
Continue with Custom Engraved Electric Guitar: Part 3 »
Recently, Martin Strolz of Austria traveled to the United States to instruct his 5-day Grand Masters course at the GRS Training Center....
Continue with A Masterful Progression »
This knife by Tira Mitchell, who teaches engraving at the GRS Training Center, shows just how you can use less and get more....
Continue with Flippin' Out »
Engravers seem to be by nature artistic, creative, and innovative. Most engravers enjoy finding new ways of going about their business, whether it is a time-saving technique or a new tool geometry....
Continue with Engraffiti™ by Weldon Lister »
Luciano Bosis makes firearms, and he makes them well. A beautiful, well-made gun like this Michelangelo model is perfect and complete when paired with engraving....
Continue with Michelangelo's Bird of Prey »
This small square of metal has been transformed from a practice piece to an artistic engraving, complete with a bouquet....
Continue with Marcus Hunt's English Scroll »
Just in time for these creepy crawlers to make an appearance in all things Halloween here in the United States, take a look at the arachnids of Lee Griffiths' firearm....
Continue with Amazing Arachnids »
This sterling silver loupe is a great project piece for engravers and stone setters. In contrast to the chrome-plated version also sold by GRS, this loupe is solid silver and perfect for engraving and deep enough for stone work....
Continue with On the Border, On the Line »
This knife by engraver and scrimshander James Mitchell shows a simple metal engraving on the bolster and a nice eagle design on the handle....
Continue with Eagle Scrimshaw and Metal Engraving »
This is an example of traditional black ink on ivory scrimshaw work by engraver and scrimshander James Mitchell. ...
Continue with The Elephant »
This green beauty of a ring, with its large tsavorite garnet, is a handcrafted piece by Jura of The Netherlands. ...
Continue with Spirits of Nature »
Many elements must be considered when designing art for an engraving. Whether the design will be organic or geometric, symmetrical or asymmetrical, the details of the design are important to its success....
Continue with Symmetrical Ring Design »
Loyd Freeman, a GRS Tools customer from Georgia, enjoys his time engraving pieces like this neat belt buckle shown here....
Continue with Belt Buckle Art »
In the July 24, 2009 Featured Photos, Ashton Ludden showed a work in process, her second engraved iPod. This model has a stainless steel back; it’s a tough alloy and fairly thin, but a perfect size a shape for engraving. ...
Continue with Custom Engraved iPod – Now Finished »
Creating a design or theme for a firearm that isn't the typical hunting scene breaks free from the traditional idea of what an engraver cuts on a gun....
Continue with Bug Lovers, Gun Lovers »
Those select few engravers who receive the opportunity to study under an engraving artist during Grand Masters will be prepared for the 2009 event like never before....
Continue with Strolz on Ornamental Design Engraving »
There is a subtle difference between a creative artist and a trained professional in the jewelry world. Some professionals exist solely as a means to an end; this person is excellent at getting the job done on time and as requested....
Continue with The Work of A Stone Setting Artist »
Engravers often may work with local artists, leather crafters or jewelers to collaborate on a project. However, sometimes an engraver has the opportunity to work with someone from another country altogether....
Continue with Belgian Stone Setting with Western Bright Cut »
This piece by scrimshaw artist Sandra Brady is a large example of beautiful, made-to-order artwork. In her own words, Brady describes this excellent scrimshaw piece....
Continue with First Stewards by Sandra Brady »
With the fifth annual Grand Masters event just around the corner, looking at the work of past masters can be an enriching study....
Continue with Hunt Buttons »
Hobo nickels have long been a part of the American tradition of engraving. Older United States nickels like this one stamped 1938 are a friendly canvas for many engravers....
Continue with The Bearded, Gilded Hobo »
Time is money. This old adage rings true for nearly every industry, from engineering to medicine to the engraving arts. One time-saving tool for engravers that can also easily create less-than-desirable results is the liner or multiple-line tool....
Continue with Beautiful Use of Liners »
Inspiration for creative projects is available to artists in many different ways. From the plants and animals to the cultures of today and yesterday, the art world has a diverse resource library....
Continue with The Kwakiutl Tribe »
Bart Johnson, one of D.J. Glaser's lifelong friends, owns a small dental lab. "Bart has made every crown in my mouth" says D.J., "and it's intriguing to watch him work." Several dental lab processes are similar to making jewelry, so it's understandable that dental lab techs and dentists often enjoy jewelry work....
Continue with Fun with Dental Gold and a Tiny Diamond »
Andrew Biggs of New Zealand does a fantastic job of capturing the history and culture of his homeland. Whether stylized Maori designs of a mythical legend, or recent and recorded historical events as depicted here, his engravings are beautiful work....
Continue with The Forest Rangers of New Zealand »
While bulino style engraving can capture a moment or scene with detailed perfection, the three-dimensional aspect is represented only on a two-dimensional surface....
Continue with Three-Dimensional Engraving »
With metal prices and the current economy, using multiple colors of metal can be a financial burden when it comes to a small engraving or jewelry project....
Continue with Contemporary and Colorful Metal »
Many artists are visual learners — that's just the way those creative thinkers are hard-wired. Reading instructions in a book on how to engrave is never quite the same as learning it first-hand....
Continue with Bright Bits & Bracelets »
What better way to capture the delicate movement of a hummingbird than with bulino style engraving and fine shade lines....
Continue with Of Hummingbirds and Shade Lines »
Mike Frakes has been enjoying the engraving arts for about five years now as a hobby. Frakes attended a "start-to-finish" firearms engraving course with Rex Pedersen at the GRS Training Center in 2008 where he worked on this shotgun. Recently, he attended a second firearms engraving course with Pedersen in 2009 and had the opportunity to engrave a pistol in class....
Continue with Shotgun Engraving by Mike Frakes »
Magnus Svärd loves to challenge himself at his jeweler's bench. He is not only an expert stone setter and custom jeweler, he teaches these high level skills in his native Sweden....
Continue with Sapphires, Silver & Leather »
We as humans tend to gravitate toward certain ideas when it comes to art: we want it unique, aesthetically pleasing, and creative. One of the wonderful aspects of engraving and jewelry work is the freedom to achieve such things. ...
Continue with Funky & Modern Jewelry Design »
Even though technology has made way for improvements in hand engraving and wood carving, the underlying techniques and designs that create a beautiful work of art remain the same....
Continue with With Engraving Old Never Means Outdated »
Ashton Ludden is a developing artist and engraver who previously engraved her iPod. But the headphone jack developed a problem which meant the music had stopped. Fortunately, a friend had one they no longer needed that was the same model as Ashton's broken one. ...
Continue with Custom Engraved iPod »
Seth Becker, whose gun engraving and stone setting skills have been featured here before, usually creates engraved pieces as part of a fulfilling hobby....
Continue with Bold & Brilliant Bracelet Engraving »
For some engravers, Airtact simply provides a comfortable and natural way to hand engrave with pneumatic tools. For Seth Becker, it allows him the freedom to engrave easily using his hands....
Continue with Engraving with Airtact »
Recently, Sandra Brady's white-on-black cheetah showed the dramatic beauty of a simple yet detailed piece of scrimshaw. Here she has taken the entire spectrum of color and applied it to an underwater majesty....
Continue with Under the Sea »
With tight budgets and hard economic times, traveling for any reason comes with a significant financial investment. Although many students save money to learn first-hand from instructors at the GRS Training Center, more engravers can now learn some of these techniques right at home....
Continue with Bulino Engraving Up Close »
A third-generation artist and craftsman, Weldon Lister is a fine engraver who works with the traditional tools of the trade. On June 29, 2009, the American Pistolsmith's Guild presented his "Charge to Keep" hand-engraved belt buckle (along with the beautiful 1911 pistol engraved by Brian Powley) to the 43rd President of the United States of America....
Continue with A Charge to Keep »
A few years ago, the American Pistolsmiths' Guild commissioned member and engraving artist Brian Powley to design and engrave a Caspian Arms 1911 .45 caliber pistol for U.S. President George W. Bush as a gift. Although federal law prohibited this high-value gift to be given while President Bush held office, Powley himself recently had the honor of presenting the firearm to the 43rd President of the United States on June 29th, 2009....
Continue with A Patriotic, Presidential Pistol »
In the May 1, 2009 Featured Photos, we featured an early "working" print by Ashton Ludden of an intaglio art print with a social message from the artist. At that time, her working print showed only main lines with virtually no shading or visual dimension....
Continue with Intaglio Print with a Message: Part 2 »
Before the advent of power engraving handpieces, there were basically two ways to power a graver through metal: by hand pushing and by using a chasing hammer. Most jewelry engravers used the hand push method while most gun engravers used chasing hammers. While this generalization is not entirely accurate, it does describe the two approaches to hand-powered metal engraving. Of course, many engravers would use both methods as the need arose and according to their personal skill set and preference....
Continue with Chasing Hammer Engraved Gold Pendant »
Whenever an engraving artist is planning on a pattern, many things must go just right in order for the pattern to look nice....
Continue with Working on Patterns »
The GRS MicroBlock comes in a special version just for those creative individuals who like to make the block unique. This one features 77 white stones with a sparkling GRS logo in the center....
Continue with A GRS MicroBlock with Sparkle »
Todd Daniels decided that a scrap of sterling silver low dome rolled wire could be made into something nice while providing several unique stone setting demonstrations. The eight-day BaselWorld 2009 Trade Fair provided an opportunity to share technical advances and a chance to enjoy the company of people who appreciate fine bench work....
Continue with Silver Scrap Transformed During Trade Fair »
"I started in the jewelry business in the summer of 1969 working for a jeweler for no pay," says Ron Finch. "Once I got to the point that I could size a ring with out burning it up I got a small wage."...
Continue with 40 Years of Jewelry »
Printmaking and engraving go back some time in history, hand-in-hand as two parts that were once fundamental for printing. ...
Continue with Printmaking & Engraving »
The nickel-silver tag is a bit different from the average run-of-the-mill subject matter for an engraved work....
Continue with Hills Instead of Valleys »
Which is easier — cutting a straight line or a curved one? Each presents challenges of its own, however you approach it. But here Rex Pedersen shows a few examples of executing basic borders in different ways....
Continue with Going in Circles »
Alexandre Sidorov creates one-of-a-kind, exquisite jewelry. Whether he is planning how to set stones inside a "padlock" or creating a botanically-inspired ring, his work is always done to the highest level of perfection....
Continue with Nothing Plain or Simple for Sidorov »
The April 7, 2009 Featured Photos showed Mitch Lurth starting a new project, customizing his electric guitar with an engraved pick guard....
Continue with Custom Engraved Electric Guitar: Part 2 »
Wood engraving has a different feel to it compared to metal engraving. Like metal, wood can be harder or softer. The real difference for some engravers and carvers can be that the wood was once alive....
Continue with Giving New Life to Wood »
The story of "Maui Tikitiki A Taranga", a demi-god of Maori mythology in New Zealand, comes to life with the hand of Andrew Biggs and a smooth metal surface. He planned the layout carefully in such a way that the stylized elements would tell the incredible story....
Continue with A Cultured Timepiece: Part 2 »
Andrew Biggs loves to engrave, and he is pretty good at what he does. His work often involves bringing out the fantastic culture of his native New Zealand. ...
Continue with A Cultured Timepiece »
One of the caveats of jewelry engraving, especially when it involves soft metals like gold, is the eventual wear on the work....
Continue with An Antique Beauty »
Ashton Ludden loves the challenge of Intaglio Printing from hand engraved metal plates. It's a classic art form, but one that's fully capable of delivering a modern social message from the artist. ...
Continue with Intaglio Print with a Message: Part 1 »
The traditional black pigment on ivory is a well-known look for the art practiced by those on the high seas for years in the past....
Continue with Put Your Scrimshaw in Reverse »
The ancient techniques of chasing and repoussé are experiencing a rebirth among silversmiths, jewelry designers, creative metalworkers, and collectors. For thousands of years, the methods of chasing and repoussé have been used together to create beautiful jewelry and other wonders in silver and gold....
Continue with Chasing A Silver Vase »
Adding a monogram or lettering to a piece of jewelry can take it from plain to perfect in little time. Mastering lettering skills takes a great understanding of how the forms work, not to mention how to cut each one in metal....
Continue with An "F" for Fancy »
We as humans enjoy a balance of variety and stability. The engraving arts (and the arts in general) provide excellent examples of this very fact....
Continue with Precious Metals Everywhere »
In a previous Featured Photos, Ashton Ludden showed how drawing skills helped her engrave a turtle on one side of this brass-headed letter opener....
Continue with Engraved Letter Opener: Part 2 »
Bulino engraving is possibly the most tedious and fulfilling technique in the art when it comes to cutting. Each line or dot has to be placed carefully so that any viewer recognizes the final subject....
Continue with Fine Bulino Engraving »
One of the Artisan Alley members, Mitch Lurth, loves his guitars. So it was perhaps inevitable that he would combine his artful engraving with guitars....
Continue with Custom Engraved Electric Guitar: Part 1 »
Sometimes simplicity is as beautiful as an ornate design. Tira Mitchell cut this quick monogram to test out how well this particular silver pendant works for engraving....
Continue with A Monogram In Silver »
Sometimes an engraver can look at a blank piece of metal and immediately imagine numerous designs flowing on the smooth surface. Other times, deciding on what exactly to engrave can be a challenge. ...
Continue with Before & After: Shading Example Part 3 »
In this second part of an example in shading, this bolster by Rick Eaton shows the before and after steps from unfinished to shaded....
Continue with Before & After: Shading Example Part 2 »
Certain aspects of engraving can be learned from studying the printed words of an expert. The fundamentals of layout and design, the basics of how to use and sharpen tools, and similar principles can be studied and practiced with good results....
Continue with Before & After: Shading Example Part 1 »
One way to lay out a design that takes less time to cut but still looks great is to use larger scrolls. Knowing how to place larger scrolls with vines and leaves around a scene can make or break a layout....
Continue with Covering Large Areas Quickly »
Turquoise is a beautiful stone frequently seen in Native American and Western style jewelry. Although the bright blue turquoise Kit Carson uses in some of his other work is a popular choice, the green turquoise in these "Chola Earrings" is well paired with peridot....
Continue with It's Easy Being Green »
While there are several ways engravers can transfer patterns and images onto metal, nothing beats the speed and convenience of drawing them ... if you know how. Art student and Artisan Alley member Ashton Ludden wanted to engrave a gift. She chose a turtle theme because in her friend's culture, it's a symbol for long life. In a few minutes she found a good photo on the internet that would work for the oval brass end of a letter opener....
Continue with How Drawing Skills Help Engravers »
Featured Photos has shown many innovative stone setting techniques from a jeweler whose creativity knows no boundaries. Alexandre Sidorov demonstrated how to purposely overlap stones as a setting technique and showed his great knowledge of creating jewelry with stone setting on the inside a custom pendant....
Continue with High-End Jewelry Techniques »
Martin Strolz, who will share his techniques and skills with a select few in September 2009, has a mastery of the engraving arts. His five-day course Layout, Design & Fine Engraving Techniques for Firearms is for experienced engravers who are are ready to take their work up a notch....
Continue with Grand Work from a Grand Master »
Western Bright Cut is a very popular technique for engraving with maximum shine. This method produces brilliant designs with a small number of cuts using a highly-polished flat graver....
Continue with Bright & Shiny — Western Style »
Wood allows many freedoms for engravers and carvers. Since wood is available in so many colors, the artist has an open palette. Wood also carries such a mood to any subject that it can be swayed from comfortable to regal....
Continue with Scrolls & Wood »
Hobo nickels are a popular source of artistic engraving that employs deep relief techniques. This practice makes transforming the face of an old U.S. nickel coin a fun way to practice engraving....
Continue with A Nose for Nickels - Hobo Nickels, That Is »
One of the favorite demonstrations used by GRS staff is a star setting. It's fun to watch and fun to do because it's fast, uses several different gravers and tools, and combines an interesting variety of operations....
Continue with Some Stars are Nicely Different »
Mitch Lurth, a recent part time addition to the GRS Artisan Alley, is concentrating on refining his engraving including fine line shading. At the same time, he is testing different graver materials and geometry as part of his Alley work. ...
Continue with Mitch Lurth Shows How to Use Artistically Valid Patterns To Refine Engraving Skills »
Want the recipe for a perfect Valentine's gift that you can make for your loved one? Take some small stones of your choice, a sterling silver heart, and flat gravers polished to a mirror-like shine....
Continue with Sterling, Stones, and Bright Cuts »
The vast number of materials an engraver can turn into something out of the ordinary grows with each generation. Ashton Ludden, a college student at Emporia State University, created a deep-relief engraving out of a common household material....
Continue with Out of the Kitchen, Into the Studio »
A passion for engraving seems to be one that can be passed on from one generation to the next. Marcus Hunt of England has been cutting metal professionally ever since his father, Ken Hunt, began teaching him the trade. ...
Continue with A Master of Scroll & Scene »
Consider a line. It can create a shadow. It can imply a curve. It can even depict mood or motion. James Ehlers, who heads the Engraving Arts courses at Emporia State University, uses line to create a dynamic layout that is full of violent action and high-velocity movement. ...
Continue with The Dynamic Line »
Once you decide to learn engraving, taking that initial first step may be the hardest. Where do I go know? What tools should I buy? How much should I invest in this art?...
Continue with How to Get Started »
Working with a true master can boost your skills faster than anything else. A new engraver can study for years on end without guidance from another more experienced, but the amount of information learned in one sitting with a professional is worth every second....
Continue with Start Out with The Basics »
An age-old art still practiced by many, scrimshaw techniques and methods open up a wonderful world of history, detail, and sometimes even beautiful colors. The most traditional of scenes and techniques used for scrimshaw applications are tumultuous nautical adventures, like the one seen here....
Continue with From Traditional to Tribute: Scrimshaw »
Whether jewelry work is a new passion or a dear old friend, at some point in time a learning experience takes place. For some, it is through years of hard work and tedious challenges. Others gain experience by taking courses like those taught by Todd Daniels at the GRS Training Center. Daniels, who is well-versed in engraving as well as his jewelry work, created this beautiful ring from start to finish....
Continue with High-end Jewelry Engraving with Todd Daniels »
Vlastik Peták is a multi-talented artist living and working in the Czech Republic. He engraves, paints, carves wood, and sculpts. Vlastik purposely embraces both traditional and new engraving techniques in his work. He loves to learn new things. ...
Continue with Extraordinary Combination of Engraving Techniques & Design »
Jake Newell had a problem. He needed presents for his family members and friends and he was low on money. So, he decided to make them. ...
Continue with A Special Hand Made Gift for His Sister »
The GRS Training Center instructor and professional engraver who did this work is well known for fine line Italian-style bulino work. However, he is also skilled in creating and setting custom jewelry like these pieces here....
Continue with Bench Jewelers & Engraving »
One of the hardest parts of learning how to become an engraving artist comes after you figure out just how to control that small piece of metal called a graver. Once you learn control and how to gracefully cut monograms, scrolls, letters, and eventually even bulino-style scenes, how do you know where to put everything?...
Continue with Learn Layout & Design with Lee Griffiths »
Glendo/GRS Tools employee Shane Garriott travels around the world helping GRS Tools dealers at trade shows. Over the past few years, Shane has developed a strong interest in stone setting — in fact, he really enjoys it....
Continue with Trade Show Stone Setting Demonstration Gets Creative »
January • February • Show All Articles for 2012 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2011 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2010 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2009
January • February • Show All Articles for 2012 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2011 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2010 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2009 January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August • September • October • November • December • Show All Articles for 2008
Marty Rabeno hand engraves large scrolls quite well. The scroll element is a part of designing for engraving that can be difficult to execute on a larger scale....
Continue with Getting the Big Picture »
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2010 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alexander Sidorov, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Martin Strolz, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alain Lovenberg, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ken Hunt, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill Returns, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill, 2005 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ron Smith, 2005 »
It is always nice to see a hand engraving artist flourish from the artistic training received at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with A Past Student Flourishes with GRSTC »
Jake Newell of Emporia, Kansas, does engraving work for William Henry Studio. Newell's knives feature luxurious gold and copper inlay mixed with crisp hand-engraved designs.
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Continue with Hand Engraving a William Henry »
If you haven't seen the newly released 2012 Course Schedule, it is definitely worth a peek! Classes fill quickly, especially courses like Advanced Stone Setting and Drawing & Designing Scenes, so call 800-835-3519 today for details.
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Continue with We're Part of Your Journey »
Diane Scalese has three different classes during the upcoming 2012 year of courses at the GRS Training Center, but they won't last long....
Continue with Scaling the Heights with Brights »
The work of hand engraving artist Mitchell Lurth from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will go out to thousands of GRS Training Center students by way of the cover artwork for the new 2012 GRSTC Course Calendar (call 800-835-3519 or request one online).
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Continue with The 2012 Learn Plate: Revealed! »
In the engraving world, what is more important than the actual engraving itself? The drawing process that results in that engraving is the most important part of the entire engraving.
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Continue with Draw, Draw, Draw...And Then Draw Some More »
Two and a half years ago, Kuan Ting Chen of Taiwan discovered GRS Tools. As a stone setter, he now has the capability to add hand engraving to his work.
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Continue with Stone Setting and Engraving from Taiwan »
A series of works is an easy and hard way to design. On one hand, you can choose the main element or focus of the series. On the other, you need to make each piece different and still unified throughout the series.
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Continue with What Jumped Over the Moon? »
With the online release of the 2012 GRSTC Course Schedule just weeks away, the printed calendar will be going out in the mail soon as well.
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Continue with Sneak Peek: 2012 Learn Plate »
English scroll is one of those traditional designs that work on a variety of workpieces. From firearms to jewelry, the English scroll is quite versatile.
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Continue with Keeping the English in Line! »
How can a wedding set be both a comfort and a sight to behold at the same time? When it has custom hand engraving!...
Continue with Custom Jewelry Sets »
Is it really almost 2012? Whether the world is going to end or we've still got a few generations left to go, there is at least one exciting thing to look forward to: a new training schedule!
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Continue with New Courses Are Coming! New Courses Are Coming! »
At the GRS Training Center, we see people from all backgrounds and on all different artistic paths.
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Continue with It Takes Two »
This fun and interesting piece is by James Ehlers, Professor of Engraving Arts at Emporia State University.
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Continue with Fresh and Hot Coiled Scrolls! »
Getting too close to the work under the scope and never taking an unmagnified look can cause an "uh-oh" moment when too much work is done to take a step back.
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Continue with Look Closely, Take a Step Back »
Hot diamonds in a circle, stone setters! What lovely lady wouldn't mind showing off this gorgeous band of stones on her finger?
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Continue with Between a Rock and Another Rock and Another Rock.... »
It's no secret that artists always enjoy the work of another artist. From these works, some draw inspiration, others aspiration, and others still simply admiration.
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Continue with An Artist's Trade »
Many engravers have much success engraving in gold and silver. With the cost going up every day for these precious metals, this engravable piece in steel and brass is really a shining example of how to get more from less.
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Continue with Sophistication, Sealed with Brass and Steel »
Need more clients? Putting yourself and your work "out there" is one way to make that happen. And, sometimes, work really does just fall into your hands.
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Continue with Gun Show Success! »
While graphic designer and hobby engraver Amanda Henson learned to cut with a microscope, the naked eye and a blank canvas is what she uses for engraving most of the time since taking a class.
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Continue with Engraving Can Just Be for Fun »
Steve Dunn sure knows how to throw a punch — when it comes to engraving backgrounds, at least!
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Continue with Throw the First Punch »
A follow-up to the curvy cuts Diane Scalese presented on this silver pendant from a recent class, this is one side of the finished pendant.
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Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders: Part 2 »
Looking back on the past can be a good way to reflect on the present. GRS Training Center instructor and engraving artist Rex Pedersen has a few old and personal photos to share. "These three photos are of my father," he says.
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Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 2 »
No matter what your idea of school looks like, our training is a cut above anything else. Unless, of course, you imagine one of the fantastic learning experiences provided at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with This Time, It's Personal »
Steven Landers, a hobbyist engraver currently residing in Alexandria, Virginia, will be finishing up a week of training at the GRSTC today.
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Continue with Student Work from Steven Landers »
What better way to usher in a new 56-page catalog (download it now!) than to grace the cover with a piece of history steeped in the modern world of engraving.
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Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 1 »
Some jobs call for complete coverage, or the surface containing all design and no blank space, and some call for a much simpler design....
Continue with Simple and Sleek »
One thing Marty will tell you about engraving is that it all starts with a good design. No matter how proficient you are with a graver, a poor design leads to a poor engraving....
Continue with Art Matters to Marty »
Recently, goldsmith Josiah Hanley took a class with Diane Scalese and Sam Alfano at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with The Future is Bright and Detailed »
Nothing says "wow" like the beautiful bright cuts from Diane Scalese.
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Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders »
One of the easiest ways to treat a background in engraving is total removal of the metal with a flat graver and a stipple tool. Although it takes more time, it can be fairly foolproof in execution.
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Continue with Background Treatments in Engraving »
Nothing is better to keep the heat away from the fine wood of your desk than a hand-engraved coaster from Jeremiah Watt.
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Continue with The Coolest Coffee Cup Coaster »
Andrew Gonzales had shown off some very neat engravings before here on Featured Photos, but this recent hobo nickel takes the cake. Or the village, maybe.
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Continue with A Hobo Nickel with an Axe to Grind »
Questions come in to us at GRS about getting started with gun engraving. With inquiries ranging from tools to design, the answers can most easily be answered by instructors like Rex Pedersen....
Continue with Rex Can Teach You, Too »
With a new course coming in a just a few days, we are all excited about the projects that students will be cranking out in the near future....
Continue with Let's Meet in the Middle »
With jewelry engraving, one of the most important decisions is what to do with the border. Although leaving a plain band of metal around the edge is certainly an option, check out this quick design cut by Todd Daniels.
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Continue with Crossing the Border »
Recently, Bob Finlay taught his class covering Deep Relief Engraving at the GRS Training Center. So that the students could have a one-of-a-kind project piece, Finlay himself drew out this great Western-themed design.
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Continue with Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
Creating scrolls that keep a viewer's eye going through the artwork is an important task in designing.
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Continue with Great Scrolls! »
Weldon Lister, who does high-quality hammer and chisel work as a hand engraving artist, recently created these designs for a very special event.
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Continue with GRS Buck Knife: It Cuts Like Butter »
Sometimes the worst situation can open opportunities you did not know existed. Take hand engraver Dossie Cribbs, whose life-changing event nearly a decade ago led him to a new art....
Continue with It Just Makes Sense »
Any time an engraver has a large, irregular piece for which to design, taking into consideration the entire surface area is a big issue....
Continue with Engraving with the Whole Piece in Mind »
As far as weapons go, knives are cool. Pistols are cool. But either one is best when it has custom artwork from hand engravers like Steve Dunn....
Continue with Get More "Dunn" with Pistol Engraving »
While it is customary for a man to give his wife a gift of jewelry, some find a jewelry shop that designs and fabricates unique, custom pieces....
Continue with Sweet, Thoughtful Jewelry – With A Carat of Stones! »
Sometimes the hardest part of self-teaching is not knowing what to do to get the end results....
Continue with Pistol Progression: An Important Part of Inlay »
What a gun! This .44 Magnum has been hand engraved by artist Brian Powley, and he has done a very nice job making the engraving unified with the piece as a whole. ...
Continue with Nice Features, Nice Engraving »
One of the many great things about art is that it is not required to be based in reality. With the invention of photography, art was replaced as a factual reproduction of life and allowed to become anything imaginable....
Continue with More from Rick Eaton »
The Meek Squirrel is a great project left behind by a well-respected authority on engraving. Originally, the design for this project was a simple illustration by James “Bruce” Meek, author of The Art of Engraving (#002-164)....
Continue with Free Project Available Now! »
When working with narrow or small spaces, the best option is often a symmetrical design like the one here by hand engraving artist Sam Alfano....
Continue with Small Space? Use Symmetry! »
We've heard it time and time again here at the GRS Training Center. Simply put, there is nothing quite like the one-on-one time students receive from our instructors....
Continue with It Takes A Pro »
Recently, Bob Finlay worked with hand engravers at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas on the skills of relief engraving....
Continue with Deep Relief Engraving with Bob Finlay »
Some love the beautiful nature of cold, hard steel uninterrupted by imperfections in the metal. ...
Continue with Steel Beauty »
On the flip side of Alexander Sidorov's recreation of Damascus steel on this William Henry knife, Sidorov has brightened up the piece with stones....
Continue with The Brighter Side of Knife »
Michal Molnar and Igor Fabry of Molnar Fabry have been making beautiful, 'skeletonized' watches since 2006. To date, they have sold 12 of 15 one-of-a-kind pieces....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 2 »
One of the neatest movements in the art of watchmaking is 'skeletonizing' a timepiece. Two craftsmen from the Slovak Republic have turned their passion for an artistic hobby into a fine art business....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 1 »
Damascus steel is a method of folding and fabricating a blade that turns out a beautiful pattern in the metal. With this William Henry knife, Alexander Sidorov have created a similar look....
Continue with Make It Look Like Damascus »
This piece by Sergej Manaeko shows off his talent, much like his hand-engraved watch face in the previous Featured Photos article....
Continue with Engrave & Pierce »
A timepiece can provide more than just how many hours are left in the day; it can also can show off artistry and skill....
Continue with A Little Hand-Engraved Facetime »
Much like the beautiful brass and purple anodized prototype from GRSTC instructor and professional artist Todd Daniels, here is another watch bezel from this creative artist....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel, Part 2 »
A neat technique to consider when working on a design for your piece is incorporating the use of line. This piece by knifemaker and engraver Rick Eaton is a fine example of creating interest and movement with line....
Continue with Using Line in Your Design »
At the recent BASELWORLD trade fair in Basel, Switzerland, master stone setter and artist Alexander Sidorov demonstrated his highly polished skills for the crowds who visited the GRS Tools / Glendo USA show booth....
Continue with "Watch" and Learn »
Of course, it is undeniable the skill that Alexander Sidorov infuses into every single piece of work that he creates. Aside from the beautiful form, Sidorov also pays attention to color theory to produce striking results....
Continue with Using Color in Jewelry Design »
On list of possible themes, "totem poles" seemed like a good project for Jake Newell before he started on this project for William Henry Studio. A graduate of Emporia State University in the Engraving Arts program, Newell has been engraving professionally for almost a year....
Continue with A William Henry Totem: Letting Creativity Flow »
Whether chrome plated or sterling like this loupe, many engravers and jewelers like to embellish their personal loupe....
Continue with Embellish Your Loupe »
With the price of gold, what can you do but find a substitute for some projects? As shown here on this vise, brass can make for a lovely alternative for inlay....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Brass Happy »
Rex Pedersen, a charter member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America, will be teaching a course next week that is always a blast (pun intended!) for his students....
Continue with Oh, Henry. »
Unlike what most engravers cut, Bob Finlay presents his skills in an absolutely three-dimensional style that is striking. And the best part? You can learn how to engrave like Bob!...
Continue with What A Relief! »
Every year brings something new when the GRS Training Center courses begin. With the likes of professional engravers Marty Rabeno and Diane Scalese, students have had the opportunity of a lifetime to learn directly from these experienced artists during the first week of classes....
Continue with 2011 Training Courses Begin! »
Sorting out the details of a prototype can be easily done when less expensive materials, like this stainless steel watch bezel (#011-383), are available to use....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel »
Recently, Andrew Biggs of New Zealand demonstrated for GRS at the BASELWorld show in Switzerland. New to this role, he did an excellent job showing off his engraving skills for the crowds....
Continue with What Do New Zealand and Switzerland Have in Common? »
How often now with our busy schedules do we hear words like telecommute, video chat, or virtual learning? In this day of technology, it is easy to forego traditional means of communication and education....
Continue with Hands On, In Person »
Typically, what would be negative space inside the backbone of a scroll is filled with leaves. However, knifemaker and engraver Steve Dunn has taken a different approach with this design....
Continue with What Goes Inside the Scroll? »
Although this knife in its complete form was recently featured last December, this celebration piece for FEGA by Lee Griffiths has beautiful scrollwork that deserves a close up....
Continue with Overlapping & Shade Lines »
Whenever an artist needs to lay out a design that will be incorporated with an existing piece, such as a custom made knife with inlaid stone on the handle, the natural flow of the stone can lend itself quite well to creativity....
Continue with Working With Natural Flow »
Every good engraver knows and can attest to the fact that drawing (and practicing!) the elements of your designs leads to better engraved work. This drawing here is by current Emporia State University professor James Ehlers....
Continue with Great Slithering Scrolls! »
Although Marty Rabeno knows how to have a good laugh, he's no fool when it comes to engraving....
Continue with He's No Fool »
Mitchell Lurth recently engraved this GRS Low Profile Vise (#003-615). Perhaps you have seen Robert "Bob" Finlay's engraved MicroBlock or the MicroBlock with Sparkle by Alexander Sidorov and Dima Semenets, but this engraved vise is a much larger project in scale....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Adding Details »
Tools are these great inventions of man that make work easier. From hammers to saws to metal formers, jewelry work would be a bit more of a challenge without tools....
Continue with Flat or Curvy: Which Do You Prefer? »
GRS workholding blocks and vises aren't just heavy pieces of necessary engraving equipment. A vise can also become a workpiece itself....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Sneak Peek »
The luck of the Irish abounds on March 17, and this year some lucky bidder can really "feel the green."...
Continue with Feel The Green (St. Patrick's Day Engraving) »
For engravers, the styles and techniques being shared today seem to be limitless. But what happens when you decide you want something a little different to add to your skill set?...
Continue with Oh, The Possibilities »
Classes like the Deep Relief Engraving course with Robert "Bob" Finlay are always a fun way to dig into engraving, especially with the neat Western design for his 2011 course....
Continue with Sneak Peek: Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
When your canvas is only inches in length and width, you don't quite have the same freedom of artistic expression as with larger pieces. Although you have fewer decisions to make, the ones you do make are very important....
Continue with How To Fill A Small Space »
The ability to use creative skills for anything from everyday jewelry engraving to the most special occasions is one of the best parts of being a hand engraving artist. You can make gifts for family, loved ones, friends, and even yourself....
Continue with A Custom Seal »
One professional engraver at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, has the skills. You know, the skills that not only allow her to be an excellent teacher but also allow her to execute many styles of engraving....
Continue with Basics to Brights to Advanced »
One of the ideas behind Featured Photos is to give engravers and artists inspiration for their own work. Andy Gonzales of North Canton, Ohio, has found inspiration in work by Jake Newell who was recently featured....
Continue with "Picking" Your Custom Work »
From the Czech Republic comes Vlastic Peták, a European hand engraving artist whose stunningly lifelike work is always breathtaking, has shared a recent work with us....
Continue with To Make The Most Beautiful Gun »
Starting into uncharted territory can be an intimidating task when it comes to hand engraving. When jewelry has been your focus and firearms enter the picture (or vice versa), it can be hard not to consider the possibility of failure....
Continue with My First Engraved Firearm »
A few weeks ago on Featured Photos, we showed off hand engraving on an alternative to precious (and expensive) metals. Although it seems a few engravers out there can still work with these precious metals like silver and gold, being able to transition to metals like steel and copper is a good skill to have in any economy....
Continue with Mild Mannered Steel, Super Engraving »
With the day of couples around the corner, a sweet memento for your loved one — hand engraved, of course — is the perfect way to show you care....
Continue with A Sweet Valentine: Tira & Rob »
Lee Griffiths does his best to create work that is unique and beautiful. From spiders to hornblowers to historical scenes, his work shows his creativity....
Continue with Winning Big »
Artists in general have it easy when it comes to creating a new work. The privacy of a studio allows for mistakes, frustrations, and epiphanies to come and go with the flow of creativity....
Continue with A Public Affair »
Aside from the overall sparkle and shine of jewelry, it is often to the advantage of the wearer for the piece to have some kind of character. Something that makes the jewelry unique is always eye catching....
Continue with Bracelets with Culture »
As engravers, finding a place in the art world to market work can be tough given the current economy. One way to help your income is to expand to jewelry engraving....
Continue with Successful Jewelry Engraving »
If you build your house on sand, what kind of foundation for the future do you have? Probably not a very good one. You want something solid and strong, and the same goes for the art of engraving....
Continue with The Importance of the Basics »
With the price of gold into the astronomical limits of many engraving clients, alternative metals can still provide a custom piece with flash and style....
Continue with What Can You Do With Steel? »
Sam Welch has donated a great amount of his time to FEGA. From being a founding member to serving as President and Vice President for the guild, Sam felt that it was important to be a contributing benefactor to the organization that gave his career purpose years ago....
Continue with Music to My Graver »
Over and over again, new engravers find the challenge of cutting shade lines that both look "right" and are cut properly....
Continue with Finding the Sweet Spot in Shading »
American engraver Ron Smith is well-known for his beautiful hand engraved work. He also has written several books that provide countless engravers with inspiration and the knowledge to create better designs....
Continue with Inspired by Advanced Drawing »
Igor Tarantul of Israel recently sent in some photos of his work — and, wow, what beautiful artwork to behold!...
Continue with Engraving for a Wedding »
Holden Krom does not back down from the challenges that engraving has to offer. Instead, he embraces them....
Continue with New Challenges »
Michael Dubber has been a major contributor to FEGA since its inception in 1981. From being a founding member to serving as President of the Guild, he has made a lasting impact for the organization....
Continue with Giving Back »
Full Gold Inlaid Background & Deep Relief Engraving with Alain Lovenberg will certainly be a time in engraving to remember. In case you missed the 2011 course details, here you can admire a closer look at the project piece and read more about the course....
Continue with Full Gold Inlaid Background & Deep Relief Engraving »
Since the Grand Masters 2011 application is going to be available in only eleven days, how about a sneak peek at the project for Alain Lovenberg's engraving course?...
Continue with Sneak Peek: Lovenberg's Grand Masters Project »
Lee Griffiths was eager to give back to FEGA, the organization that provided so much for him while learning how to engrave. ...
Continue with Collaboration to Benefit FEGA »
When you are in the right place at the right time, you can learn new skills and techniques that you weren't even expecting....
Continue with Round and Round We Go »
Sometimes, students want to get right into a certain field or style of engraving. Although most students benefit from the broad knowledge found in a basic course, this one might be just right for you....
Continue with A Look At Basic Firearms Engraving »
Progressing through design work can be simple for some engraving artists, those like Marty Rabeno. With years of art teaching behind him, he can knock out a beautiful scroll design with several elements....
Continue with A Work in Progress, and Progressing Through Work »
When trying something new, experimentation can be a fun — albeit challenging — task. This Featured Photo is an ambigram designed and hand engraved by Tira Mitchell in an unusual metal called niobium. ...
Continue with Experimental Color: 2011 Learn Plate »
This Featured Photo is an ambigram designed and hand engraved by Tira Mitchell in an unusual metal called niobium. ...
Continue with No Matter How You Turn It: Tira's Learn Plate »
As many may know, the Firearms Engravers Guild of America will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2011....
Continue with 30th Anniversary Watch for FEGA »
While most people in the United States are filling up on leftover turkey, potatoes, and pies, not everyone cooks the traditional turkey for the Thanksgiving holiday. From vegetarian main dishes to other poultry, one bird that few will prepare is the focus of this beautiful firearm....
Continue with A Thanksgiving Bird, of Sorts »
Studying the works of great artists has long been a way to embellish one's own artistic skills. Much can be learned though the keen observation of great work. When combining these aesthetic sensibilities with technical savvy, the results will be appealing....
Continue with Technique Meets Inspiration »
Many times, the form of an art piece expresses more about the artist than of the art itself....
Continue with No Limits to Egg Carving »
For the last few years, GRS has commissioned one of our esteemed instructors to hand engrave a piece of artwork for the GRS Training Center's course schedule brochure....
Continue with The GRSTC "Learn" Plate »
It's almost that time of year again at GRS. The near-end of the calendar year marks the announcement of the upcoming course schedule....
Continue with Get Ready For 2011 »
The late Erich Boessler, an accomplished hand engraver from Germany, engraved this firearm with an interesting combination of detail and dimension....
Continue with Multidimensional Hand Engraving, Part 2 »
Taking cues from artists like Vincent van Gogh and relief and flare cut engraving techniques, hobbyist engraver Amanda Henson decided to bring this nocturnal night owl into the day with a background of bright cuts....
Continue with Owl Covered in Light »
Hand engraving artists find inspiration everywhere. From nature to manmade structures to events to fantastic creatures we can only realize in our dreams, artists can discover something new in art that already exists....
Continue with The Doodle Ring »
Aside from the challenges of learning how to sharpen gravers and how to make the tool go where it is supposed, the art and design of engraving can be another difficult aspect for beginners as well....
Continue with How to Frame A Scene »
Everyday objects like these door knobs can become works of art with a little planning and a little creativity....
Continue with Dress Up Your Home »
So perhaps this beautifully carved piece by professional engraver and wood carver Bill Janney doesn't quite bring out the aroma of roses, but they sure do look nicely done....
Continue with Sweet As Roses »
After the tempting taste of Lee Griffith's spaghetti scrolls, here is the full plate in all its detail and glory....
Continue with Food, Italians, and Scrolls: Part 2 »
So what do food, Italians, and scrolls have in common? Well, for this sneak peek at a plate by hand engraver Lee Griffiths, these three items describe what Lee calls this scroll style....
Continue with Food, Italians, and Scrolls »
Parallel lines of equal width can be difficult to keep on the straight and narrow when it comes to hand engraving. The use of a multiple line tool can simplify the work significantly....
Continue with Keep Your Cuts In Line »
Sam Alfano is known through out the world of engraving for his ability to execute shade lines and cuts with accuracy and flair....
Continue with Beautiful Cuts, Even on a Practice Plate »
Artists are included in the lucky few who can create something beautiful and meaningful that helps a great cause. Andrew Biggs of New Zealand engraved this bracelet for just such an occasion....
Continue with A Great Cause »
Scrolls, scrolls, and more scrolls. New engraving students come up against these mysteriously created and beautifully demonstrated design elements all the time. ...
Continue with On The Hunt...For Beautiful Scrolls »
Part of being an artist is having an eye for pleasing design. As an engraving artist, sometimes the project is a pendant with no adornment — a blank canvas. Other times, however, the artist must create a design that works with what is around it....
Continue with Matching Metal and Stone »
Sandra Brady, who teaches at the GRS Training Center, has created a nice and simple piece of scrimshaw work featuring a lovely horse....
Continue with We're Not Horsing Around »
Professional engraver and GRS Training Center instructor Diane Scalese shows here how to put stone setting, Western scrolls, and a multiple-line graver to good use....
Continue with Scrolls, Stones, and Lines »
This inspiring project by student intern Mitchell Lurth is a nicely done example of shading, bright cuts, and metal inlay....
Continue with Bits of Copper »
David Drake, a machinist who works at Glendo Corporation, has shared some of the work he does in his free time in a few previous Featured Photos....
Continue with Studying English Scroll »
A recent student of the GRS Grand Masters Program, Brian Powley hand engraved this striking hammerhead made by John Rohner....
Continue with A Striking Hammerhead »
With all the styles of engraving known to the art world, Western Bright Cut is certainly one of the flashiest around....
Continue with The Spur of the Moment »
Some jobs are what they are — engraving artists, however, have the opportunity to follow a path of creativity and fulfillment every time they sit down at a bench for work....
Continue with The Artisans in the Alley »
Today's engraved artwork comes from new intern Anneliese Narcisi. This piece features a good study on how to use lines expressively....
Continue with What Lies Beneath »
Peter Shoemaker, a new student intern in Glendo's Artisan Alley division of Research & Development, started out as an Art Education major at Emporia State University. ...
Continue with A Trap and A Vice »
Art can serve many purposes. It can be beautiful in and of itself. It can convey emotion. Art can also be used to comment on — and even critique — the events of daily life....
Continue with Activism and Engraving Arts »
The Grand Masters Program 2010 brought many engraving artists to the Emporia, Kansas, training facility. One of those engravers came all the way from Germany as a special guest....
Continue with Silver Roses »
Recently, Dennis McConnell Jr. attended the intensive and challenging course with Creative Art of Italy during the 2010 Grand Masters Program. While at the GRS Training Center, he shared photos of some of his work....
Continue with A Piece of the Pipeline »
Although the students in this year's Grand Masters are not yet finished, the master project plate for the two-week course is complete....
Continue with The Finished Grand Masters Plate »
One of the most impressive aspects of fine Italian bulino engraving is that the tiny cuts that create a whole element look accurate and alive....
Continue with The Wild Cat's Meow »
As the student engravers progress from sharpening to cutting, each one shows off a new cut to the master engravers from Italy....
Continue with Small Cuts, Great Rewards »
One dozen highly skilled engravers have all started the challenge of learning the skills presented by master engravers of Creative Art....
Continue with Grand Masters 2010 Begins »
The true importance of the 2010 Grand Masters Program may only be realized by a few people. With the art of engraving becoming an open and accessible trade, younger generations may soon forget the time and effort put forth by masters like Creative Art....
Continue with The Importance of the 2010 Grand Masters Program »
With Grand Masters soon approaching and a select few guests arriving the week before, the beautiful work of New Zealander Andrew Biggs is a nice way to prepare for the masters to come....
Continue with Biggs, Maori, and Magrette »
It's always great here at GRS to see students love the work they are doing in class. It's especially nice when the students really learn and get excited....
Continue with All In A Week's Work: Bracelets, Part 2 »
As the title suggests, these bracelet were all done in one week. Students at the GRS Training Center gathered together to learn how to make bracelets from start to finish, and they did just that....
Continue with All In A Week's Work: Bracelets, Part 1 »
Much like the Start-to-Finish Firearms Engraving course, the Bracelet Engraving Techniques course helps engravers learn how to make a project from beginning to end....
Continue with Make Your Own Bracelet »
Shading can be a difficult aspect of engraving to master. Once control has been attained to the point of smooth backbones and tapered cuts, shading an element properly really comes into play....
Continue with The Purpose of Shade Lines »
One of the coolest classes at the GRS Training Center is a course with instructor Rex Pedersen, professional engraver and President of FEGA. In just one week, students have the chance to completely engrave a firearm....
Continue with A Firearm, Engraved from Start to Finish »
Learning how to engrave is tough and has a pretty sharp learning curve. It takes years to become consistently good, and years and years beyond that to become a master....
Continue with Learning Heraldic Engraving »
As students in Steve Dunn's recent class jotted a name on a piece of paper and dropped it into the cup, the clock ticked closed to the end of the week. The GRSTC students had experienced the art of engraving first-hand, and had completed a hand engraved plate under deadline as well....
Continue with The Golden Graver Award: Part 2 »
The rules were simple: you can only vote once, and you can't vote for yourself. As students in Steve Dunn's recent engraving class gathered around the finished practice plates, everyone was ready to choose a favorite....
Continue with The Golden Graver Award: Part 1 »
It's always nice to give and receive presents. For those artistically-inclined, a wonderful way to say thank you is through hand engraved gifts....
Continue with A Nice Retirement Gift »
The fierceness of a wild stallion like this one certainly deserves a formidable treatment when depicted in metal. On a plate for the Deep Relief course at GRSTC with Robert "Bob" Finlay, this horse is coming to life through the hands of engraver Mike Frakes....
Continue with Carving A Wild Stallion in Metal »
The late Erich Boessler, an accomplished hand engraver from Germany, engraved this firearm with an interesting combination of detail and dimension....
Continue with Multidimensional Hand Engraving »
One of the aspects of hand engraving that deserves much study and practice before final execution is lettering. Lettering is such an important detail of fine hand engraving that James B. Meek dedicated an entire chapter to the subject in his book The Art of Engraving (#002-164)....
Continue with By The Letter »
James Ehlers, head of the Engraving Arts department at Emporia State University, is an engraver and printmaker who teaches his skills and the art of hand engraving to students at the university....
Continue with Artist-in-Residency: Printmaking and Engraving at GRS »
Anytime an artist can transpose a design to work for multiple canvases, the possibilities for financial and creative gain are limitless....
Continue with Leather Design Meets Metal Engraving »
Practicing how to execute styles like the large American scroll or the bold German scroll is a rewarding way to expand skills....
Continue with English Scroll Is Nice »
Todd Daniels is a professional engraver and quite masterful at incorporating his engraving skills with stone setting techniques. This copper pendant here demonstrates a neat way to put the two together for optimum shine and sparkle....
Continue with All About That Sparkle »
As an artist, it can be an emotional struggle sometimes when a client requests something that may not be the best fit for you or perhaps the canvas....
Continue with It's No Average Tie Pin »
When a stone setter has advanced to the masterful quality and perfect craftmanship shown in work like this pendant, there is no arguing with the skill behind the work....
Continue with Stunning Stone Setting »
Stainless steel is a great canvas that many engravers and jewelers can use in everyday work. Personalizing items like this Al Mar Cash Clip (#019-012) is a perfect way to include customization in a practical but nice finished piece....
Continue with Bringing Stone Setting and Engraving Together in Steel »
Steel and copper are hot in the metal arts world with the price of precious metals like gold and silver so high. Copper can be used in many engraving applications, including the jewelry arts....
Continue with A Copper of Many Colors »
ESU student Mitchell Lurth has already engraved one guitar and made it into a custom work of art, but he wanted a new project to hand engrave. He purchased this Epiphone Firebird, playing it for a few months while he developed designs and ideas for the engraving....
Continue with Engraving An Epiphone »
Tim Halloran of Iowa, who has been engraving since 1986, recently completed this nice 1860 Uberti Henry Replica Rifle for Aaron McMichael of Kansas....
Continue with 1860 Henry Replica Rifle, Engraved »
Starting out with engraving can open a door to a wonderful and fulfilling world of creativity. For some, engraving becomes a new medium and a unique canvas....
Continue with Engraving is Easier Than Ever »
The art of engraving, though once a skill that took years to learn and execute the basics, is more accessible than ever. With a basic engraving class and the right tools, this wonderful field can be applied to many projects....
Continue with Bead Stringing & Custom Hand Engraving »
Here is another neat work from Andrew Biggs, engraved on the Al Mar Cash Clip™ (#019-012), with the background on the design of this engraving....
Continue with Maori & Steel »
Andrew Biggs, who has a neat style that combines traditional New Zealand Maori art with his own creative flair, engraved this 416 stainless steel bracelet at the 2010 BASELWORLD Fair in Basel, Switzerland. Here, he describes the design and the meaning behind it....
Continue with Stainless Steel at BASELWORLD »
Here are more shots of the wonderful artwork on display at a church-turned-museum in Basel, Switzerland....
Continue with More Scroll in Stained Glass »
If ever you were in doubt about whether you could carve wood, now is the time to get past that feeling. Bill Janney, creator of several videos on how to carve wood, knows how to give new life to wood and can teach you how to get started....
Continue with Simple Fish Scales »
Sometimes the tools of the trade can become the workpiece itself. During the 2010 Inhorgenta exhibition in Munich and the 2010 BASELWORLD fair in Switzerland, Alexander Sidorov created and displayed this stone-set art piece he made from a stainless steel GRS Engravable Microblock (#003-685)....
Continue with Stainless Steel: A New "Gold" Standard »
Engravers are always on the lookout for examples of good and useful art, especially scrollwork, leaves and the like. During the BASELWORLD 2010 Fair, D.J. Glaser found these windows in a Basel museum (which was formerly an old church) to be particularly interesting if not stunning....
Continue with Church Window Artwork: Inspiring In Many Ways »
In general, an engraving may fall into one of three categories: function, ornamentation or art. With a project like the Stanley Cup, the hand engraving is simply for one function: to record and display names. A beautiful scroll pattern on a firearm may be artistic and creative, and yet not art....
Continue with Function, Ornament, Art »
With an array of colors more expansive than a rainbow, the ink that fills in those purposeful little lines of scrimshaw gives the art a vibrant dimension....
Continue with Bead Stringing for Scrimshaw »
The Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) Show occurs every year, with a mix of friends and fun, engraving and guns. During the show, some of those guns (and the engraving artists) receive well-deserved awards....
Continue with An Impression of the Past »
It's always great to see a customer and friend progress in hand engraving. As you can see here, hard work and practice pays off with English scrolls on an Al Mar Cash Clip (#019-012)....
Continue with A Hobby, A Gift »
Many finely engraved knives are handmade art pieces that never get used. But the right knife with an appropriate style of engraving can be used and appreciated every day....
Continue with Engraving Knives That Get Used »
Eyes are a naturally alluring subject, the "windows to soul" as the old saying goes. But regardless of how many artists portray these corporal parts, they are still a thing of beauty....
Continue with Beauty is In the Eye... »
Monograms are a great way to personalize anything from hand towels to luggage to pendants. Here is a look at a cool monogram by hand engraving artist Tira Mitchell....
Continue with GLENDO in Monogram »
Estonia is a lucky country to host such a cool and creative engraver. His name is Viljo Marrandi and he designed and engraved this DVD box....
Continue with A Wedding Present: Mixing Contemporary with Classic »
Whether you follow Featured Photos every Tuesday and Friday, or this is your first visit — you are in for a special treat! Today's feature is a very special preview of work from the 2010 Grand Masters....
Continue with Reality or Fantasy? A Sneak Peek at Grand Masters 2010 »
Sometimes, life is just funny. Whether it is the situation at hand or an ongoing ordeal, these quick moments in time can turn into a treasured memory....
Continue with "Dave" (or How I Learned My Name Isn't Brian if I Want To Get Paid) »
During the Inhorgenta 2010 Fair in Munich, Germany, Magnus Svärd decided to make something special for his son, Jesper, who was back home in Sweden....
Continue with Art or Vandalism? Graffiti, Engraved with Stone Setting »
ESU student Mitch Lurth is at it again, carving out delightful designs for his guitars....
Continue with Music to My Graver »
Carlo Cavedon is a traditional engraver who specializes in the art of knifemaking, scrimshaw and metal engraving in Italy. This is his "Rhino Skinner", with a beautiful red maple handle, mosaic pins, and a little ring made with red jasper. ...
Continue with Thick Hide, Tough Little Skinner »
This neat technique shows a different approach to engraving custom pieces like this cross by Diane Scalese. How did she do it? Read on......
Continue with Cut It Out »
Lee Griffiths has an eye for creative, unusual, and beautiful work. He can transition from cool dragons to creepy crawlers to these noble felines....
Continue with Scrolls and Tigers and Gold -- Oh, My! »
The fundamentals are fundamental. This could be said about many subjects for which we gain skills and knowledge: math, reading, science. If you don't know how addition works you might have a little trouble with geometry, right?...
Continue with The Fundamentals are Fundamental »
Sure, it is one thing to slave laboriously on slabs of steel in your private shop — but what about executing those same cuts while complete strangers watch?...
Continue with Demonstrating Cuts Like A Pro »
James Ehlers, an engraver, printmaker, and the current professor of the Engraving Arts program at Emporia State University, designed this monogram for GRS, drawing inspiration from a century-old book on monograms....
Continue with A Monogram for GRS »
Shown here is the final step in the Nicki Pendant by Ashton Ludden on a small engravable key tag. Ashton has taken this piece from outline to finished artwork with nice results....
Continue with Remembering A Dog Named Nicki: Part 2 »
Engraver and printmaker Ashton Ludden has made a few tags for four-legged friends before, but this one is for a special pup. Ludden memorialized "Nicki" with her bulino-style engraving here shown in progression....
Continue with Remembering A Dog Named Nicki: Part 1 »
With such a rich culture, New Zealander and hand engraving artist Andrew Biggs is a highly creative individual. This bracelet, shown in both flat and bent form, is a wonderful example of sculpted, three-dimensional engraving....
Continue with Tane, Lord of the (Engraved) Forest »
In May 2009, the GRS Training Center offered a new specialized engraving course taught by Sam Alfano. He is well known for a wide variety of expert engraving including his extraordinary lettering. ...
Continue with Special Hand Engraved Letters: A New Course Teaches How »
Personalization is a perk for many who shop online and buy laser engraved goods. Perhaps you cannot purchase a hand engraved computer or iPod, but you can sure do it yourself!...
Continue with Working the Line »
Recently featured here, Sam Alfano's bright cut lumenesque technique is a great way to quickly add luster to jewelry....
Continue with The Lumenesque in Copper »
Necessity can drive a person to do many things — one of which is hand engraving, in the case of bit and spur maker Rod Teuscher....
Continue with A Scorpion in Texas »
This is — or was — an everyday utility knife, the Buck Folding Hunter Model 110. David Drake is a CNC machinist who became interested in engraving when he went to work for Glendo, the manufacturer of GRS Tools. ...
Continue with Nicely Engraved Knife by a Hobbyist »
Traditional scrimshaw work on bone does not always create a feeling of unity through design. Here, Sandra Brady has wholly designed a set of scrimshaw pieces that are unified....
Continue with Creatively Shaped Scrimshaw »
While there are several styles of engraving — from photorealistic dot techniques to three-dimensional sculpting methods — the beauty of Western Bright Cut is undeniable....
Continue with Western Watch »
Recently on Featured Photos, Engraffitti™ bracelets by Weldon Lister showed off his new and secret technique for this cool effect....
Continue with A Puzzling Piece of Jewelry »
Rick Eaton makes custom knives, but he doesn't stop there. He also engraves his custom knives, adding flush gold inlay and fine line shading. But he doesn't stop there either — he also teaches other engravers how to do the same....
Continue with Get Into Custom Knife Engraving »
College art students are famous for running low on time and money. Mitchell Lurth, a student in the Engraving Arts program at Emporia State University, cleverly designed one of his graded college art projects so it could also be his mother's Christmas present....
Continue with Art Student Gets 2-For-1 »
A stainless steel key fob is a great way to practice your skills — especially before executing a technique on an expensive piece....
Continue with Practice is Valuable »
A technique dating back many centuries, trompe l'oeil or "fool the eye" is a creative method for making two-dimensional artwork appear as if tangible and three-dimensional....
Continue with A Trompe L'oeil in Miniature »
Sam Alfano has a treasure of knowledge stored up from his many years as a hand engraving artist. One beautiful design technique that he uses is his lumenesque scroll....
Continue with The Lumenesque Scroll »
Using bright cut techniques, engraver Brian Powley finishes out the sparkling surface of these high-quality flutes with engraved designs....
Continue with Musical "Lip" Service »
Ralph Bone was a man with an excellent and remarkably broad skill set....
Continue with A Gentleman's Knife »
Sometimes engraving is the focus of a career. In John Cameron's case, it's the "icing" on his handcrafted woodwork....
Continue with Embellishing Handcrafted Furniture »
Creating a custom piece for a client using existing stones is a great way to turn out beautiful pieces of jewelry....
Continue with Aquamarine and White Gold, Cathedral-Style »
One of the goals of the Featured Photos section of the GRS site is to provide pieces of engraving, stone setting, and similar works so that another artist may be inspired....
Continue with Finding Inspiration »
Alain Lovenberg is a master of many styles. Whether he is working with lines or sculpting, his work is astonishing to say the least....
Continue with What A "Purdey" Gun »
Jean Santos of France is a hobby knifemaker and engraver. Like Tira Mitchell's titanium ring featured in August, Santos has anodized these beautiful pendants to give them a bit of color....
Continue with Japanese Beauties »
It's finally done; Mitchell Lurth has now completed his first custom engraved electric guitar during fall 2009. Previously, in Part 1 and Part 2, you saw Mitch develop the design and then start engraving. ...
Continue with Custom Engraved Electric Guitar: Part 3 »
Recently, Martin Strolz of Austria traveled to the United States to instruct his 5-day Grand Masters course at the GRS Training Center....
Continue with A Masterful Progression »
This knife by Tira Mitchell, who teaches engraving at the GRS Training Center, shows just how you can use less and get more....
Continue with Flippin' Out »
Engravers seem to be by nature artistic, creative, and innovative. Most engravers enjoy finding new ways of going about their business, whether it is a time-saving technique or a new tool geometry....
Continue with Engraffiti™ by Weldon Lister »
Luciano Bosis makes firearms, and he makes them well. A beautiful, well-made gun like this Michelangelo model is perfect and complete when paired with engraving....
Continue with Michelangelo's Bird of Prey »
This small square of metal has been transformed from a practice piece to an artistic engraving, complete with a bouquet....
Continue with Marcus Hunt's English Scroll »
Just in time for these creepy crawlers to make an appearance in all things Halloween here in the United States, take a look at the arachnids of Lee Griffiths' firearm....
Continue with Amazing Arachnids »
This sterling silver loupe is a great project piece for engravers and stone setters. In contrast to the chrome-plated version also sold by GRS, this loupe is solid silver and perfect for engraving and deep enough for stone work....
Continue with On the Border, On the Line »
This knife by engraver and scrimshander James Mitchell shows a simple metal engraving on the bolster and a nice eagle design on the handle....
Continue with Eagle Scrimshaw and Metal Engraving »
This is an example of traditional black ink on ivory scrimshaw work by engraver and scrimshander James Mitchell. ...
Continue with The Elephant »
This green beauty of a ring, with its large tsavorite garnet, is a handcrafted piece by Jura of The Netherlands. ...
Continue with Spirits of Nature »
Many elements must be considered when designing art for an engraving. Whether the design will be organic or geometric, symmetrical or asymmetrical, the details of the design are important to its success....
Continue with Symmetrical Ring Design »
Loyd Freeman, a GRS Tools customer from Georgia, enjoys his time engraving pieces like this neat belt buckle shown here....
Continue with Belt Buckle Art »
In the July 24, 2009 Featured Photos, Ashton Ludden showed a work in process, her second engraved iPod. This model has a stainless steel back; it’s a tough alloy and fairly thin, but a perfect size a shape for engraving. ...
Continue with Custom Engraved iPod – Now Finished »
Creating a design or theme for a firearm that isn't the typical hunting scene breaks free from the traditional idea of what an engraver cuts on a gun....
Continue with Bug Lovers, Gun Lovers »
Those select few engravers who receive the opportunity to study under an engraving artist during Grand Masters will be prepared for the 2009 event like never before....
Continue with Strolz on Ornamental Design Engraving »
There is a subtle difference between a creative artist and a trained professional in the jewelry world. Some professionals exist solely as a means to an end; this person is excellent at getting the job done on time and as requested....
Continue with The Work of A Stone Setting Artist »
Engravers often may work with local artists, leather crafters or jewelers to collaborate on a project. However, sometimes an engraver has the opportunity to work with someone from another country altogether....
Continue with Belgian Stone Setting with Western Bright Cut »
This piece by scrimshaw artist Sandra Brady is a large example of beautiful, made-to-order artwork. In her own words, Brady describes this excellent scrimshaw piece....
Continue with First Stewards by Sandra Brady »
With the fifth annual Grand Masters event just around the corner, looking at the work of past masters can be an enriching study....
Continue with Hunt Buttons »
Hobo nickels have long been a part of the American tradition of engraving. Older United States nickels like this one stamped 1938 are a friendly canvas for many engravers....
Continue with The Bearded, Gilded Hobo »
Time is money. This old adage rings true for nearly every industry, from engineering to medicine to the engraving arts. One time-saving tool for engravers that can also easily create less-than-desirable results is the liner or multiple-line tool....
Continue with Beautiful Use of Liners »
Inspiration for creative projects is available to artists in many different ways. From the plants and animals to the cultures of today and yesterday, the art world has a diverse resource library....
Continue with The Kwakiutl Tribe »
Bart Johnson, one of D.J. Glaser's lifelong friends, owns a small dental lab. "Bart has made every crown in my mouth" says D.J., "and it's intriguing to watch him work." Several dental lab processes are similar to making jewelry, so it's understandable that dental lab techs and dentists often enjoy jewelry work....
Continue with Fun with Dental Gold and a Tiny Diamond »
Andrew Biggs of New Zealand does a fantastic job of capturing the history and culture of his homeland. Whether stylized Maori designs of a mythical legend, or recent and recorded historical events as depicted here, his engravings are beautiful work....
Continue with The Forest Rangers of New Zealand »
While bulino style engraving can capture a moment or scene with detailed perfection, the three-dimensional aspect is represented only on a two-dimensional surface....
Continue with Three-Dimensional Engraving »
With metal prices and the current economy, using multiple colors of metal can be a financial burden when it comes to a small engraving or jewelry project....
Continue with Contemporary and Colorful Metal »
Many artists are visual learners — that's just the way those creative thinkers are hard-wired. Reading instructions in a book on how to engrave is never quite the same as learning it first-hand....
Continue with Bright Bits & Bracelets »
What better way to capture the delicate movement of a hummingbird than with bulino style engraving and fine shade lines....
Continue with Of Hummingbirds and Shade Lines »
Mike Frakes has been enjoying the engraving arts for about five years now as a hobby. Frakes attended a "start-to-finish" firearms engraving course with Rex Pedersen at the GRS Training Center in 2008 where he worked on this shotgun. Recently, he attended a second firearms engraving course with Pedersen in 2009 and had the opportunity to engrave a pistol in class....
Continue with Shotgun Engraving by Mike Frakes »
Magnus Svärd loves to challenge himself at his jeweler's bench. He is not only an expert stone setter and custom jeweler, he teaches these high level skills in his native Sweden....
Continue with Sapphires, Silver & Leather »
We as humans tend to gravitate toward certain ideas when it comes to art: we want it unique, aesthetically pleasing, and creative. One of the wonderful aspects of engraving and jewelry work is the freedom to achieve such things. ...
Continue with Funky & Modern Jewelry Design »
Even though technology has made way for improvements in hand engraving and wood carving, the underlying techniques and designs that create a beautiful work of art remain the same....
Continue with With Engraving Old Never Means Outdated »
Ashton Ludden is a developing artist and engraver who previously engraved her iPod. But the headphone jack developed a problem which meant the music had stopped. Fortunately, a friend had one they no longer needed that was the same model as Ashton's broken one. ...
Continue with Custom Engraved iPod »
Seth Becker, whose gun engraving and stone setting skills have been featured here before, usually creates engraved pieces as part of a fulfilling hobby....
Continue with Bold & Brilliant Bracelet Engraving »
For some engravers, Airtact simply provides a comfortable and natural way to hand engrave with pneumatic tools. For Seth Becker, it allows him the freedom to engrave easily using his hands....
Continue with Engraving with Airtact »
Recently, Sandra Brady's white-on-black cheetah showed the dramatic beauty of a simple yet detailed piece of scrimshaw. Here she has taken the entire spectrum of color and applied it to an underwater majesty....
Continue with Under the Sea »
With tight budgets and hard economic times, traveling for any reason comes with a significant financial investment. Although many students save money to learn first-hand from instructors at the GRS Training Center, more engravers can now learn some of these techniques right at home....
Continue with Bulino Engraving Up Close »
A third-generation artist and craftsman, Weldon Lister is a fine engraver who works with the traditional tools of the trade. On June 29, 2009, the American Pistolsmith's Guild presented his "Charge to Keep" hand-engraved belt buckle (along with the beautiful 1911 pistol engraved by Brian Powley) to the 43rd President of the United States of America....
Continue with A Charge to Keep »
A few years ago, the American Pistolsmiths' Guild commissioned member and engraving artist Brian Powley to design and engrave a Caspian Arms 1911 .45 caliber pistol for U.S. President George W. Bush as a gift. Although federal law prohibited this high-value gift to be given while President Bush held office, Powley himself recently had the honor of presenting the firearm to the 43rd President of the United States on June 29th, 2009....
Continue with A Patriotic, Presidential Pistol »
In the May 1, 2009 Featured Photos, we featured an early "working" print by Ashton Ludden of an intaglio art print with a social message from the artist. At that time, her working print showed only main lines with virtually no shading or visual dimension....
Continue with Intaglio Print with a Message: Part 2 »
Before the advent of power engraving handpieces, there were basically two ways to power a graver through metal: by hand pushing and by using a chasing hammer. Most jewelry engravers used the hand push method while most gun engravers used chasing hammers. While this generalization is not entirely accurate, it does describe the two approaches to hand-powered metal engraving. Of course, many engravers would use both methods as the need arose and according to their personal skill set and preference....
Continue with Chasing Hammer Engraved Gold Pendant »
Whenever an engraving artist is planning on a pattern, many things must go just right in order for the pattern to look nice....
Continue with Working on Patterns »
The GRS MicroBlock comes in a special version just for those creative individuals who like to make the block unique. This one features 77 white stones with a sparkling GRS logo in the center....
Continue with A GRS MicroBlock with Sparkle »
Todd Daniels decided that a scrap of sterling silver low dome rolled wire could be made into something nice while providing several unique stone setting demonstrations. The eight-day BaselWorld 2009 Trade Fair provided an opportunity to share technical advances and a chance to enjoy the company of people who appreciate fine bench work....
Continue with Silver Scrap Transformed During Trade Fair »
"I started in the jewelry business in the summer of 1969 working for a jeweler for no pay," says Ron Finch. "Once I got to the point that I could size a ring with out burning it up I got a small wage."...
Continue with 40 Years of Jewelry »
Printmaking and engraving go back some time in history, hand-in-hand as two parts that were once fundamental for printing. ...
Continue with Printmaking & Engraving »
The nickel-silver tag is a bit different from the average run-of-the-mill subject matter for an engraved work....
Continue with Hills Instead of Valleys »
Which is easier — cutting a straight line or a curved one? Each presents challenges of its own, however you approach it. But here Rex Pedersen shows a few examples of executing basic borders in different ways....
Continue with Going in Circles »
Alexandre Sidorov creates one-of-a-kind, exquisite jewelry. Whether he is planning how to set stones inside a "padlock" or creating a botanically-inspired ring, his work is always done to the highest level of perfection....
Continue with Nothing Plain or Simple for Sidorov »
The April 7, 2009 Featured Photos showed Mitch Lurth starting a new project, customizing his electric guitar with an engraved pick guard....
Continue with Custom Engraved Electric Guitar: Part 2 »
Wood engraving has a different feel to it compared to metal engraving. Like metal, wood can be harder or softer. The real difference for some engravers and carvers can be that the wood was once alive....
Continue with Giving New Life to Wood »
The story of "Maui Tikitiki A Taranga", a demi-god of Maori mythology in New Zealand, comes to life with the hand of Andrew Biggs and a smooth metal surface. He planned the layout carefully in such a way that the stylized elements would tell the incredible story....
Continue with A Cultured Timepiece: Part 2 »
Andrew Biggs loves to engrave, and he is pretty good at what he does. His work often involves bringing out the fantastic culture of his native New Zealand. ...
Continue with A Cultured Timepiece »
One of the caveats of jewelry engraving, especially when it involves soft metals like gold, is the eventual wear on the work....
Continue with An Antique Beauty »
Ashton Ludden loves the challenge of Intaglio Printing from hand engraved metal plates. It's a classic art form, but one that's fully capable of delivering a modern social message from the artist. ...
Continue with Intaglio Print with a Message: Part 1 »
The traditional black pigment on ivory is a well-known look for the art practiced by those on the high seas for years in the past....
Continue with Put Your Scrimshaw in Reverse »
The ancient techniques of chasing and repoussé are experiencing a rebirth among silversmiths, jewelry designers, creative metalworkers, and collectors. For thousands of years, the methods of chasing and repoussé have been used together to create beautiful jewelry and other wonders in silver and gold....
Continue with Chasing A Silver Vase »
Adding a monogram or lettering to a piece of jewelry can take it from plain to perfect in little time. Mastering lettering skills takes a great understanding of how the forms work, not to mention how to cut each one in metal....
Continue with An "F" for Fancy »
We as humans enjoy a balance of variety and stability. The engraving arts (and the arts in general) provide excellent examples of this very fact....
Continue with Precious Metals Everywhere »
In a previous Featured Photos, Ashton Ludden showed how drawing skills helped her engrave a turtle on one side of this brass-headed letter opener....
Continue with Engraved Letter Opener: Part 2 »
Bulino engraving is possibly the most tedious and fulfilling technique in the art when it comes to cutting. Each line or dot has to be placed carefully so that any viewer recognizes the final subject....
Continue with Fine Bulino Engraving »
One of the Artisan Alley members, Mitch Lurth, loves his guitars. So it was perhaps inevitable that he would combine his artful engraving with guitars....
Continue with Custom Engraved Electric Guitar: Part 1 »
Sometimes simplicity is as beautiful as an ornate design. Tira Mitchell cut this quick monogram to test out how well this particular silver pendant works for engraving....
Continue with A Monogram In Silver »
Sometimes an engraver can look at a blank piece of metal and immediately imagine numerous designs flowing on the smooth surface. Other times, deciding on what exactly to engrave can be a challenge. ...
Continue with Before & After: Shading Example Part 3 »
In this second part of an example in shading, this bolster by Rick Eaton shows the before and after steps from unfinished to shaded....
Continue with Before & After: Shading Example Part 2 »
Certain aspects of engraving can be learned from studying the printed words of an expert. The fundamentals of layout and design, the basics of how to use and sharpen tools, and similar principles can be studied and practiced with good results....
Continue with Before & After: Shading Example Part 1 »
One way to lay out a design that takes less time to cut but still looks great is to use larger scrolls. Knowing how to place larger scrolls with vines and leaves around a scene can make or break a layout....
Continue with Covering Large Areas Quickly »
Turquoise is a beautiful stone frequently seen in Native American and Western style jewelry. Although the bright blue turquoise Kit Carson uses in some of his other work is a popular choice, the green turquoise in these "Chola Earrings" is well paired with peridot....
Continue with It's Easy Being Green »
While there are several ways engravers can transfer patterns and images onto metal, nothing beats the speed and convenience of drawing them ... if you know how. Art student and Artisan Alley member Ashton Ludden wanted to engrave a gift. She chose a turtle theme because in her friend's culture, it's a symbol for long life. In a few minutes she found a good photo on the internet that would work for the oval brass end of a letter opener....
Continue with How Drawing Skills Help Engravers »
Featured Photos has shown many innovative stone setting techniques from a jeweler whose creativity knows no boundaries. Alexandre Sidorov demonstrated how to purposely overlap stones as a setting technique and showed his great knowledge of creating jewelry with stone setting on the inside a custom pendant....
Continue with High-End Jewelry Techniques »
Martin Strolz, who will share his techniques and skills with a select few in September 2009, has a mastery of the engraving arts. His five-day course Layout, Design & Fine Engraving Techniques for Firearms is for experienced engravers who are are ready to take their work up a notch....
Continue with Grand Work from a Grand Master »
Western Bright Cut is a very popular technique for engraving with maximum shine. This method produces brilliant designs with a small number of cuts using a highly-polished flat graver....
Continue with Bright & Shiny — Western Style »
Wood allows many freedoms for engravers and carvers. Since wood is available in so many colors, the artist has an open palette. Wood also carries such a mood to any subject that it can be swayed from comfortable to regal....
Continue with Scrolls & Wood »
Hobo nickels are a popular source of artistic engraving that employs deep relief techniques. This practice makes transforming the face of an old U.S. nickel coin a fun way to practice engraving....
Continue with A Nose for Nickels - Hobo Nickels, That Is »
One of the favorite demonstrations used by GRS staff is a star setting. It's fun to watch and fun to do because it's fast, uses several different gravers and tools, and combines an interesting variety of operations....
Continue with Some Stars are Nicely Different »
Mitch Lurth, a recent part time addition to the GRS Artisan Alley, is concentrating on refining his engraving including fine line shading. At the same time, he is testing different graver materials and geometry as part of his Alley work. ...
Continue with Mitch Lurth Shows How to Use Artistically Valid Patterns To Refine Engraving Skills »
Want the recipe for a perfect Valentine's gift that you can make for your loved one? Take some small stones of your choice, a sterling silver heart, and flat gravers polished to a mirror-like shine....
Continue with Sterling, Stones, and Bright Cuts »
The vast number of materials an engraver can turn into something out of the ordinary grows with each generation. Ashton Ludden, a college student at Emporia State University, created a deep-relief engraving out of a common household material....
Continue with Out of the Kitchen, Into the Studio »
A passion for engraving seems to be one that can be passed on from one generation to the next. Marcus Hunt of England has been cutting metal professionally ever since his father, Ken Hunt, began teaching him the trade. ...
Continue with A Master of Scroll & Scene »
Consider a line. It can create a shadow. It can imply a curve. It can even depict mood or motion. James Ehlers, who heads the Engraving Arts courses at Emporia State University, uses line to create a dynamic layout that is full of violent action and high-velocity movement. ...
Continue with The Dynamic Line »
Once you decide to learn engraving, taking that initial first step may be the hardest. Where do I go know? What tools should I buy? How much should I invest in this art?...
Continue with How to Get Started »
Working with a true master can boost your skills faster than anything else. A new engraver can study for years on end without guidance from another more experienced, but the amount of information learned in one sitting with a professional is worth every second....
Continue with Start Out with The Basics »
An age-old art still practiced by many, scrimshaw techniques and methods open up a wonderful world of history, detail, and sometimes even beautiful colors. The most traditional of scenes and techniques used for scrimshaw applications are tumultuous nautical adventures, like the one seen here....
Continue with From Traditional to Tribute: Scrimshaw »
Whether jewelry work is a new passion or a dear old friend, at some point in time a learning experience takes place. For some, it is through years of hard work and tedious challenges. Others gain experience by taking courses like those taught by Todd Daniels at the GRS Training Center. Daniels, who is well-versed in engraving as well as his jewelry work, created this beautiful ring from start to finish....
Continue with High-end Jewelry Engraving with Todd Daniels »
Vlastik Peták is a multi-talented artist living and working in the Czech Republic. He engraves, paints, carves wood, and sculpts. Vlastik purposely embraces both traditional and new engraving techniques in his work. He loves to learn new things. ...
Continue with Extraordinary Combination of Engraving Techniques & Design »
Jake Newell had a problem. He needed presents for his family members and friends and he was low on money. So, he decided to make them. ...
Continue with A Special Hand Made Gift for His Sister »
The GRS Training Center instructor and professional engraver who did this work is well known for fine line Italian-style bulino work. However, he is also skilled in creating and setting custom jewelry like these pieces here....
Continue with Bench Jewelers & Engraving »
One of the hardest parts of learning how to become an engraving artist comes after you figure out just how to control that small piece of metal called a graver. Once you learn control and how to gracefully cut monograms, scrolls, letters, and eventually even bulino-style scenes, how do you know where to put everything?...
Continue with Learn Layout & Design with Lee Griffiths »
Glendo/GRS Tools employee Shane Garriott travels around the world helping GRS Tools dealers at trade shows. Over the past few years, Shane has developed a strong interest in stone setting — in fact, he really enjoys it....
Continue with Trade Show Stone Setting Demonstration Gets Creative »
Learning to cut a particular scroll can be a challenging process that takes some time to execute it to your satisfaction. Studying the work of others is a great way to understand just how to create a certain style....
Continue with Small English Scroll & Bouquet »
Engravers can save hundreds of dollars when the holiday season rolls around by creating personalized gifts. Using your skills to engrave a pendant, key fob, knife, or other small pieces, you can make unique and custom work that is just for that one special person....
Continue with Engraving a Personal Gift »
The beautiful desert-inspired designs by Arizona native Kit Carson, like his Mariachi and Pendant previously featured, are great for inspiration. His work ranges from the festive dead musicians of his Mariachi to dazzling, jewel-encrusted bracelets....
Continue with Treasure from the Sea, Bracelet by Kit Carson »
In 2008 the GRS Training Center hosted its first metalworking course that focused entirely on the art of repoussé. Valentin Yotkov, who currently resides and works in Brooklyn, New York, is a master silversmith specializing in Chasing, Raising, and Repoussé....
Continue with Sterling Silver Metalwork »
Gary Van Syoc of Emporia, Kansas, likes to sit in his shop as often as he can to work on his newest hobby — a hobby that is turning out beautiful works of wood....
Continue with Wood Inlay and Engraving »
The art of engraving is a wonderful way to remember a loved one who has passed. Whether it's in memory of a young hunter, or a dearly treasured grandfather. ...
Continue with Engraving a Memorial Plaque »
Techniques for Deep Relief Scene Engraving is a new 2009 course at the GRS Training Center. Robert "Bob" Finlay will teach his methods and style during this intermediate course in July. Recently, his engraved MicroBlock was featured here in its final stage of engraving. Finlay created a Great Plains theme, complete with cowboys, horses, and more....
Continue with Deep Relief Engraving by Robert Finlay »
With the holiday season approaching, many search for the right holiday card to send out to friends, family, and businesses. As artists, engravers have an opportunity to create a personal and unique holiday card. Printmaking can turn an original engraving into a printed treasure that can be enjoyed by many....
Continue with Engraving & Printmaking »
Any custom knife with a Damascus steel blade has an extra quality that dresses up the look of the cold, hard steel. The knife often gains much aesthetic value from this type of forging that is created by folding and layering raw materials....
Continue with Translating the Damascus Look into an Engraving Technique »
Bringing two different styles of engraving together can certainly add variety to a small piece, such as this belt buckle here. With two styles, the effects can create a jazzy, contrasting design that has a unique look. Or two styles can bring a balance and unity to the layout....
Continue with More Bang for Your Buck »
Last month D.J. Glaser, President of Glendo Corporation, introduced his new “Volcano” stone setting technique in a tutorial in the GRS Online Resource Library. After demonstrating the technique in a copper bracelet, Glaser wanted to explore the use of this setting with different stone shapes and in a variety of metals. This new piece featuring the “Volcano” setting technique focuses on setting an oval-shaped sapphire in a stainless steel key tag....
Continue with Volcano Stone Setting in Stainless Steel »
Lost wax casting methods for jewelry pieces can create beautiful pieces embellished with custom stones setting and engraving. But this ring, with its 2.63 carat pear-shaped diamond floating around a ring of pavéd stones, was completely hand-forged and fabricated by one talented jeweler....
Continue with Fabricated by Hand »
History often lends itself to future fashions. Whether the fashion is in clothing, cars, or jewelry, styles of the past create a rich library of details and looks for creating new artistic work....
Continue with Pearl & Diamonds: Inspired by Art Deco »
From firearm parts to folding knives, brilliant diamonds of all colors and sizes are popping up on non-traditional work, and the results are stunning. This piece by Rick Eaton is an excellent example of how to incorporate these stones with engraved work on something other than jewelry....
Continue with Wrapped Up in Diamonds & Gold »
Playing with words as design elements as an engraver can be both fun and challenging. This bracelet by Tira Mitchell plays with words in a unique way — by using an ambigram as the focus of the layout....
Continue with An Ambigram in Stainless Steel by Tira Mitchell »
Robert 'Bob' Finlay is a skilled engraver who finds great joy in this art form. He has been engraving for several years, creating deep relief engravings on anything from buffalo nickels to the engravable GRS Microblock....
Continue with Engraved Microblock: The Great Plains »
Today in the United States of America, many people have the privilege to vote in the general election. For those who take pride in their country, what better way to show off your national colors than with a beautiful and bright scrimshaw design....
Continue with Scrimshaw: Show Your Colors »
Out of the rich culture of New Zealand, Andrew Biggs brings a fresh approach to scroll and engraving design that has deep roots. He adds his own personal twist to a style that goes back to the first settlers of his homeland....
Continue with Oceania Scroll Bracelets by Andrew Biggs »
In July of 2008, Josh Van Haelen came to Emporia for Bill Janney's Basic Wood Carving & Engraving course. He brought his desire to learn and left with a beautifully engraved gun....
Continue with Carve Your Own Gunstock »
When a Master's skills, knowledge, and experience rise to such a high level of mastery, challenging one's own creative and technical abilities is natural. And that which would otherwise seem to be impossible becomes possible....
Continue with This Petite Pavé Treasure will leave you with questions. . . »
Martin Strolz, who will teach at the 2009 Fifth Annual Grand Masters Program, has been an engraver almost his entire life. Starting out with the basic tools even before he could drive legally in his home country of Austria, this talented master has a substantial and elegant portfolio of work....
Continue with A Glimpse at Martin Strolz »
One of the great things about engraving is the custom look that can be created for a client, loved one, or friend. Unlike store-bought or mass-produced cast "engravings" on jewelry and the like, a hand engraver can create something that is one of a kind and meaningful....
Continue with It's Rich, Not Fancy »
What started out as a failed attempt at a trade show has been transformed over time into a unique method of stone setting. The volcano setting, as explained in The “Volcano” Technique, Stone Setting Tutorial here on the GRS website, works by setting the stone on the top of the bracelet instead of underneath....
Continue with The Volcano Setting in Copper »
For those familiar with the work of Sam Alfano, especially his micro-lettering and engraving, these bracelets are nothing short of breathtaking. This particular style, inspired by sculptural engraving techniques and Western Bright Cut, is the Flare Cut refined and formally taught by engravers Ron Smith and Diane Scalese. ...
Continue with Save Time with Flare »
Nothing compares to a real master engraver instructing you as you learn new skills and techniques. Although true masters are becoming more and more rare, a few like Alain Lovenberg pass on the skills and knowledge they have attained. ...
Continue with Lovenberg's Masterful Lines »
With over 33 years of teaching experience and 30 years as an engraver, Marty Rabeno is used to standing at the front of the classroom as an instructor. This past week, though, offered him a rewarding moment of enrichment in his life-long career. It was then that he became a formal engraving student for the very first time, studying under master engraver Alain Lovenberg....
Continue with Opportunity of a Lifetime »
No doubt, after viewing such drawings and engravings as those done by Alain Lovenberg, it's easy to see that it takes quite a bit of skill to create such an image from lines. Many people may be familiar with the type of artistic style from the portraits that grace modern paper currency. ...
Continue with Line After Line... »
The first Grand Masters course of 2008 covered the art and techniques of three-dimensional sculpting using a graver. The method, although fairly straightforward, takes time to bring the beautiful design up out of the metal. ...
Continue with Three-Dimensional Sculpted Engraving from Philippe Grifnée »
No matter the experience or knowledge one has, there is always something more to learn. Even an engraver who has cut metal nearly his entire life can learn a new technique or method that will advance his skills further. ...
Continue with Learning Something New »
Most people are familiar with the Italian method of dot technique for bulino style engraving. Another traditional technique for creating photorealistic scenes is more graver-centric. This method uses lines instead of dots, and it will be the focus of Alain Lovenberg's 2008 Grand Masters course....
Continue with Engraving with Lines: Alain Lovenberg »
He has engraved the guns of Holland & Holland, James Purdey & Sons, and many more. His execution of scrolls and three-dimensional sculpted engraving is accurate, yet the "human touch" remains visible in his work. Philippe Grifnée of Belgium will be passing on his experience to a select few at Grand Masters 2008....
Continue with Exquisite Harmony with Philippe Grifnée »
Adding beauty to this world through the engraving arts seems to come naturally to a few people. No matter how big or small, engraving can give just the right touch of elegance and class to anything....
Continue with Engraved Lace Bobbins »
Diane Scalese, with her mirror-like bright cuts, engraved a similar pendant that was featured earlier in May. Because she is doing something new by bringing together the Western-style bright cuts and highly-detailed bulino engraving, Scalese decided to try this design in steel first....
Continue with Try it in Steel, Cut it in Silver »
As a university professor at the Seoul National University and a long-time artist, Joon Cho Sung recently accomplished a rather large goal. For nearly four years, Joon Cho has saved his money and waited for the moment when he would travel to the small town of Emporia, Kansas....
Continue with Fulfilling a Dream: From South Korea »
With time and pressure, carbon changes to diamonds and artists produce interesting works of art. This little gem of a mountain man was engraved by GRS Training Center instructor Lee Griffiths. While at the Denver Knife Show, Griffiths worked on this demonstration piece over the course of three days....
Continue with Mountain Man by Lee Griffiths »
What's the value of an American nickel coin? Five cents, mostly. Unless of course, an engraver has gotten a hold on one and transformed this small denomination coin into a sculptural piece of artwork like the ones here....
Continue with Hobo Nickels from Marcus Hunt »
Many artistic endeavors spring from the well of gratitude. A handmade work of art carries with it the time and effort of the artist. This intrinsic quality adds even more value for the person who deserves such a gift....
Continue with Comparing Rubies to Cherries »
Not every piece of engraved work ends up fulfilling its life purpose. Sometimes things happen in life that are beyond our control, there's no doubt about it. However, even if an engraved piece such as this one doesn't end up on its rightful saddle, it is still artwork that anyone may appreciate....
Continue with A Horn Cap in Silver & Copper »
This custom knife was made by H.J. “Herman” Schneider and engraved by Ron Skaggs. It was ordered at the 1980 Knifemaker’s Guild show in Kansas City and delivered in mid-1981. Mr. Schneider’s name is clearly inscribed on one side of this gold inlay hunter, but there is no engraver’s identification by Skaggs on it....
Continue with A 1980's Knife by Schneider and Skaggs »
A bracelet like this one - with its domed surface and neat hinge - is quite different perhaps from what many engraver's encounter in the jewelry field. Fitting nice and snug on a small feminine wrist, this thick cut of metal is a bold choice....
Continue with A Bracelet of a Different Shape »
Tira Mitchell, who now teaches Basic Engraving at the GRS Training Center, is well known for her chromed pieces. She engraves in many different metals, and some parts like the ones here end up as slick looking covers, caps, and parts for motorcycles....
Continue with More Chromed Engravings by Tira Mitchell »
Wearing jewelry made of precious metals and other natural material goes back many generations. Although what is of value varies from one culture to the next, jewelry is an important accessory for many. One of the ways that jewelers can increase the value of their work is by adding engraving....
Continue with Engraving Jewelry with Sam Alfano »
In this final installment of the Engrave a Gun in One Week series, featured here are three talented engravers who completed engravings on their own firearm during the course with Rex Pedersen....
Continue with Engrave a Gun in One Week: Part 3 »
As the week draws to a close, the students in the Intermediate Firearms Engraving course are hard at work putting the finishing touches on their shotguns. To start out on this project, the students practiced cutting lasered patterns on metal plates to get a feel for the designs....
Continue with Engrave a Gun in One Week: Part 2 »
Making and selling casts of your work can be quite commonplace if you've had your graver to the grindstone for a few years now. But for some, being able to create and own a three-dimensional plastic cast to study is a new concept....
Continue with Engrave a Gun in One Week: Part 1 »
There is a certain joy in creating your own piece of artwork completely from the canvas to the final application of the design. Having control over the size, shape, and material of your canvas allows a freedom that is satisfying for many artists....
Continue with Engraving Glass: The Beginning of the Blues »
The statement "Love What You Do, Do What You Love" sums up the personal philosophy of one engraver who has been doing what he loves for over thirty years. Kit Carson is an Arizona-born artist whose eclectic jewelry style is attractive and unique....
Continue with Love What You Do, Do What You Love »
Shade lines can be challenging for many new engravers. Learning to control a graver is one thing — executing well-spaced, natural shade lines is another. This Al Mar knife engraving has fine shade lines that are perfect for study....
Continue with Shade Lines Are Important »
As beautiful, three-dimensional sculpted engraving techniques on metal become ever more popular among engravers and collectors, a great way to hone those skills is to try another canvas....
Continue with Apply Your Artistic Skills to Wood »
It is a true skill to be able to form raw materials into a piece that is not only functional but a work of art as well. Taking the craft of knifemaking even one step further, Steve Dunn has beautifully engraved this custom knife....
Continue with A Touch of Gold »
Engraving adds meaning and emphasis to objects of value. But what things have enough value that the owner wants to add something special? Traditionally, engraving is found on jewelry, fine knives and firearms, writing instruments and the like. But each new generation makes their own list of value. ...
Continue with Treasures Vary Generation to Generation »
Stone setting is becoming more and more prevalent in the world of engraving. As engravers gain new clients and new skills, the traditional craft of setting stones in metal comes as a natural "next step"....
Continue with Bright Cuts & Citrine Stones »
This stainless steel bracelet has a personal story behind it. Jake Newell, a student at Emporia State University, wanted to engrave something for D.J. Glaser, who has enjoyed watching Jake’s engraving skills develop wonderfully. Somewhat serendipitously, D.J. has had a theme he wanted engraved for his wife, Linda. Canada Geese are known to mate for life. And the flight formation used by migrating geese is designed so the lead goose makes the journey easier for the rest. ...
Continue with Wingtip to Wingtip »
The Al Mar Osprey shown here may appear large in scale with these crisp and confident flare cuts, but in reality this petite knife measures only 2.3125" in length and weighs approximately 0.6 oz. ...
Continue with Bold Style, Diminutive Knife »
This plate, which Lee Griffiths engraved at the East Coast Custom Knife Show in February 2008, is another example of his wonderful affection for these mythical creatures. This Dragon Plate shows areas of sculpted and traditional engraving, much like the Dragon Gun. But because Lee engraved this piece at a show, he did not intend for this simple steel practice plate to become such an charming beauty. ...
Continue with Lee Griffiths' Dragon Plate »
People love to have a tangible reminder of certain things - anniversaries engraved on weddings bands, lifetime achievements recorded on plaques, portraits of the favorite hunting dog cut on the side of a firearm. These things are most often commissioned by a client for an engraver to design and create....
Continue with A Day to Remember, Engraved in Copper »
Charles Schreck, a retiree who engraves mainly as hobby, decided to do a quick experiment with this $5 Wal-Mart mug to practice on a curved surface. He soon found out that the thin, inconsistent stainless steel meant lots of resharpening for the tip of his graver. Whereas some metals like gold or copper are softer and easier to cut, most hard steels will dull or break a graver tip in no time....
Continue with Working with Steel »
Nowadays, cell phones are almost so commonplace that many people cannot imagine life without one. Phones can store personal calendars, business contacts, to-do lists, even take photos with an integrated digital camera. These small devices become so personal with all this information stored inside, yet the external facade remains unexceptional and without identity....
Continue with Adding Tradition to Technology with Engraved Art »
Jake Newell, an ESU student with strong artistic skills, has been engraving for a little over a year now. Through several courses at the GRS Training Center and private instruction in engraving, Jake's hobby is progressing in creative ways....
Continue with Experimenting with Round Gravers »
A new year of training courses brought a few new engraving instructors to the GRS Training Center, one in particular who produces interesting works on unique surfaces. Tira Mitchell's work has been featured here previously with her engraved Filigree Egg in November 2007....
Continue with Wonderful Symmetry in Chrome »
A thoughtful and considerate surprise from a husband to a wife is always a welcome gift, especially when the present is created by the hands of the spouse. Handmade gifts always carry a little more meaning in the eyes of the receiver, regardless of the medium. ...
Continue with Cupids In Silver, A Bracelet by Robert Strosin »
Lara Yaremko traveled from Queensland, Australia, all the way to Emporia, Kansas, so that she could gain new artistic skills. While talking about engraving and jewelry at the training center, Yaremko had excitement in her voice and passion in her eyes thanks to the engraving arts....
Continue with A Young Perspective on Engraving & Jewelry »
Twelve students and a GRS Instructor filled the GRS Training Center during the week of May 19, 2008. This course focused on the technical stone setting method of micro-pavé. Micro-pavé is a beautiful stone setting technique that involves a great amount of math, especially formulas, to allow for such precise stone setting. ...
Continue with Learning Micro-Pav »
Jewelry is an everyday part of life in most cultures. One aspect of jewelry that people love regardless of cultural differences is a sparkling stone. When over 300 diamonds grace the sides of a ring like the one shown here, it's definitely a sight to behold....
Continue with A “Love Triangle” of Stones »
Stone setting is a delicate and technical craft. It requires precision and care so that stones stay in place and are not broken during the setting process. Once these fundamentals are learned, a stone setter can discover creative new techniques....
Continue with A Sculpted Setting Technique »
Although metal engraving has always been the central focus of the GRS Training Center, courses have branched out over the years into wood carving, scrimshaw, and stone setting. This year brings a new facet of using metal as a canvas with a class dedicated to repoussé....
Continue with The First Repoussé Course at GRS
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A monogram always has a personality, regardless of the application. It can range from rigid to sophisticated to dramatic. Depending on the design of the letter, a monogram can reflect a variety of traits. This is a good point to consider when choosing a monogram style for a client....
Continue with Engraving a Simple Monogram »
Western Bright Cut looks great and has many applications, from bracelets to conchos to belt buckles. With the highly-reflective cuts and such versatility, many engravers love to use this style. ...
Continue with Bulino and Bright Cut »
This loupe by Sam Alfano illustrates one of the many ways a blank piece of metal can be transformed into an artistic canvas. Alfano engraved this as a demonstration at Baselworld 2008. He used several basic engraving techniques to distinguish objects in the foreground from those in the background....
Continue with Techniques to Expand Your Engraving »
Color brings a whole new level to the artistic work of scrimshanders. With the addition of color, an artist not only has to compose a layout, but the colors must be chosen and applied appropriately. ...
Continue with Scrimshaw: Roses Are Red »
Engravers and artists can find inspiration for a design in many places. Whether a design is wholly unique, inspired by another work, or based on century-old penmanship, the metal transformation is always stunning....
Continue with A Beautiful Style in Gold and Diamonds »
This progression photo of Lee Griffiths’ “Dragon Gun” shows the beginnings of a unique character slithering into a scene of scrolls. Once a simple Perazzi Over-and-Under shotgun, Griffiths has transformed the plain and smooth metal into a textured fantasy....
Continue with The Dragon Gun, Part 3 »
With the current high cost of silver, gold and other precious metals, it’s a good time to try some alternatives. Copper and stainless steel are two metals with increasing popularity in the jewelry industry, especially with younger clients. Copper has been used for centuries for jewelry; some wearers believe it helps relieve arthritis and other ailments....
Continue with Using Alternative Metal for Custom Jewelry »
Engravers and stone setters who have enough experience know that any geometric design requires a higher level of accuracy than most other applications. With scrolls and scenes that flow with a more "artistic" quality, the elements can be put together any number of way as long as the design is pleasing....
Continue with Pavé Stone Grid »
Beau Arndt, an 18 year old Emporia State University student, was shot and killed while goose hunting with his friends in December 2007. In his memory, fellow ESU student and hobbyist engraver Jake Newell created this memorial plate as a gift for the family....
Continue with In Memory of a Young Hunter »
This brass demonstration plate has been around the trade show block a time or two after nearly two years of travel. Despite the small blemishes on the metal, the graphic beauty of this work by Sam Alfano is clearly evident....
Continue with Engraved Enhancements for Setting Stones »
A punch dot background is an efficient and attractive way to add texture, contrast, and sparkle to the metal. This silver loupe features a punch dot (beading tool) background that is quite deep. And, punch dot backgrounds are relatively fast and easy to complete because the tool is a standard beading/punch dot tool....
Continue with Deep Dot Backgrounds »
To most people, mentioning sapphires conjures up images of a deep and sparkling blue. Sapphires are affordable and well-known. But most clients may not know that sapphires known as “fancy sapphires” come in a range of colors....
Continue with Sapphires Come in Many Colors »
As a mostly self-taught artist, Robert Strosin creates work that is quite stunning. He engraved this pendant as a birthday present. Made for his daughter Karen, Strosin said that this pendant could one day be passed on to Karen's own daughter Kate. ...
Continue with Gold with a Capital "K" »
Todd Daniels, an accomplished engraver and jeweler who also teaches at the GRS Training Center, created this Italian specialized trap shooting gun's grip cap from start to finish. Not only did he do all the gunsmithing and woodwork modifications so the gun could receive the hand made grip cap, Daniels also did the engraving, gold inlay, and stone setting for it. The client requested his initials "JV" specifically for this custom grip cap, which Todd made by hand from 5mm raw steel. ...
Continue with A New Style for Firearms »
With 40 years in the jewelry industry, Brad KleinSmid has developed many complementary skills that let him creatively join metal and stones. His talents also include custom jewelry design and lapidary. Brad is mainly self-taught but has taken several courses at the GRS Training Center....
Continue with Balancing Curves, Stones, and Colors »
The man who engraved this fine knife, Steve Dunn, became a Master Bladesmith well before he learned to engrave. Steve designs and builds his own custom knives, as well as engraves his own knives and those of others....
Continue with Knife Engraving by Steve Dunn »
With engraving, the artist takes a bit of the metal away to create an attractive design. The art of Ornamental Chasing and Repoussé, however, moves the metal into new positions for a three-dimensional work of art....
Continue with Learn Metalwork with Valentin Yotkov »
This piece of hand engraved artwork is nothing short of breathtaking, especially considering that American engraver Winston Churchill uses hammer and chisel for many of his engravings....
Continue with Winston Churchill Pendant »
Those who know Sam Alfano have probably seen a few examples of his beautiful leaf script lettering. While at a trade show in Munich, Sam engraved this stunning script and Dmitry “Dyma” (Dee-ma) Semenets of Antwerp, Belgium set the stones – all as a live demonstration....
Continue with Leaf Script by Sam Alfano »
The way shade lines follow a scroll's spine gives a certain feel and style to an engraving overall, adding dimension and life to the art. Sometimes, though, an engraver chooses to do something with shade lines that is a little different – and really eye-catching....
Continue with Scroll Shaded Differently »
A Featured Photo in May 2007 shows an unusual technique of overlapping stones to create something visually and mechanically different from most stone setting techniques. Here is another example in a finished pendant. ...
Continue with Overlapping Stones, Part 2 »
Lettering and monograms are usually created solely with engraved lines. This pendant, however, shows a neat way of combining stone setting with engraving....
Continue with Combining Engraving with Stone Setting »
Typically, a grid of pavé set stones goes hand in hand with linear bright cut borders. However, this ring shows a different way of lining these stones up with a nice, new touch to the borders....
Continue with Pavé Without the Usual Bright Cuts »
Featured in December for its complex sculpted trigger guard, this firearm has several dragons adorning its sides. Lee Griffiths, an engraver who also teaches at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, created most of this fierce little dragon using multi-colored metal inlays. ...
Continue with A Dragon of Many Colors »
Artistic craftsmen such as those who work with wood and leather often benefit from adding small silver ornaments to their work. Many of these same talented artists do not yet have the skills to create their own embellishments, but they would like to be the sole creator. It is easy to start learning with training from GRS....
Continue with Embellish Your Leatherwork »
Weldon Lister, an active member on the iGraver forums and a talented hammer-and-chisel engraver, knows good advice when he hears it. While attending the 2007 Grand Masters Program with instructor Winston Churchill, Weldon took some of Winston's wisdom to heart: remember the jewelry market, and don't overlook it in favor of strictly engraving firearms....
Continue with Beautiful Firearms Style Bracelets »
This gold pendant, though simple in the use of elements, conveys an elegant beauty that perhaps has yet to be tamed. Engraved by René Delcour, a well-known artist of Liége, Belgium, this pendant combines nature with design principles for a very effective use of space. ...
Continue with Engraving a Simple Project: Nature & Design »
Robert "Bob" Finlay has many talents. One of his most impressive is his engraving skills. Although he hasn't been engraving as long as some, this fine man learned quickly and began a passion for this art that spurred him onto creating such wonderful and complex pieces as this Engraved Microblock. ...
Continue with Engraved Microblock: The Finished Block »
How wonderful is it to receive a gift made just for you? General Manager Kim Pember received this beautiful hand made and engraved glass vase from Glendo employees this Christmas. Glendo commissioned this work of art from Emporia State University student Evan Markowitz....
Continue with Engraving Glass: Wine & Dine »
A challenge that many engravers face is executing a design on a final project piece for the first time. Apprehension can cripple the creative process, wasting valuable time and money. On the other hand, rushing boldly through a project can also be detrimental....
Continue with Engraving a Shotgun, From Start to Finish »
People love to have personalized possessions. Whether it's a handmade handkerchief with embroidered initials or a wedding band with a romantic inscription, everyone feels special to receive something so personal....
Continue with Engraving a Simple Project: Script Lettering »
When most people think of a signet ring, the traditional look that bears initials or a coat of arms is foremost in the mind's eye. Because the function of a traditional signet ring is to create a seal, the face of the ring is usually stone-free and carved in reverse as a negative....
Continue with Variation on Signet Ring Design »
There are many transfer methods that engravers use to apply a design. Common techniques include using Chinese white and a pencil, stippling (as seen in the 2007 Featured Photos #38-1), or applying chemicals to inkjet and laser copier prints. ...
Continue with One Way to Improve Skills »
There are many ways to take a flat, cold piece of metal and turn it into a beautiful and warm work of art. With all the different styles and techniques available, engravers have so many possibilities. ...
Continue with Adding Dimensional Style »
Finely crafted knives and engraving are two art forms that pair well together. For any artist, sole authorship, or creating a piece from the ground up, creates a great feeling of accomplishment....
Continue with The Art of Knifemaking »
Sometimes engraving several projects that involve traditional game scenes and scrolls can keep engravers so busy they don't try other themes. Celtic designs can add variety to your engraving and some invigorating artistic challenge that adds depth and interest to your skill set. ...
Continue with Celtic Designs »
Next time you want try a new project to expand your skills, consider combining two different styles of engraving — you might find a couple of styles that create an interesting blend. This sterling silver loupe, engraved in front of a live audience at the Hong Kong Trade Show, brings a few elements together for a neat touch of beauty and symmetry. ...
Continue with Asian Writing Meets English Scroll »
Depending on the project, a theme or main element may have already been determined by your client. One mistake that those with less experience tend to make is creating a boring composition....
Continue with Composing an Interesting Scene »
Notorious for engraving on non-traditional items, Scott Pilkington has created a new look for this pair of metal chopsticks. By adding simple scroll and leaves to these chopsticks, normal wooden chopsticks don't even come close to being this nice....
Continue with Adding Beauty to Chopsticks »
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Marty Rabeno hand engraves large scrolls quite well. The scroll element is a part of designing for engraving that can be difficult to execute on a larger scale....
Continue with Getting the Big Picture »
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2010 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alexander Sidorov, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Martin Strolz, 2009 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Alain Lovenberg, 2008 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ken Hunt, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill Returns, 2007 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Creative Art, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Philippe Grifnée, 2006 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Winston Churchill, 2005 »
With the Seventh Grand Masters Program coming in 2012, those who have never heard of this amazing program have a chance to review the past years here on Featured Photos.
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Continue with Grand Masters Revisited: Ron Smith, 2005 »
It is always nice to see a hand engraving artist flourish from the artistic training received at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with A Past Student Flourishes with GRSTC »
Jake Newell of Emporia, Kansas, does engraving work for William Henry Studio. Newell's knives feature luxurious gold and copper inlay mixed with crisp hand-engraved designs.
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Continue with Hand Engraving a William Henry »
If you haven't seen the newly released 2012 Course Schedule, it is definitely worth a peek! Classes fill quickly, especially courses like Advanced Stone Setting and Drawing & Designing Scenes, so call 800-835-3519 today for details.
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Continue with We're Part of Your Journey »
Diane Scalese has three different classes during the upcoming 2012 year of courses at the GRS Training Center, but they won't last long....
Continue with Scaling the Heights with Brights »
The work of hand engraving artist Mitchell Lurth from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will go out to thousands of GRS Training Center students by way of the cover artwork for the new 2012 GRSTC Course Calendar (call 800-835-3519 or request one online).
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Continue with The 2012 Learn Plate: Revealed! »
In the engraving world, what is more important than the actual engraving itself? The drawing process that results in that engraving is the most important part of the entire engraving.
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Continue with Draw, Draw, Draw...And Then Draw Some More »
Two and a half years ago, Kuan Ting Chen of Taiwan discovered GRS Tools. As a stone setter, he now has the capability to add hand engraving to his work.
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Continue with Stone Setting and Engraving from Taiwan »
A series of works is an easy and hard way to design. On one hand, you can choose the main element or focus of the series. On the other, you need to make each piece different and still unified throughout the series.
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Continue with What Jumped Over the Moon? »
With the online release of the 2012 GRSTC Course Schedule just weeks away, the printed calendar will be going out in the mail soon as well.
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Continue with Sneak Peek: 2012 Learn Plate »
English scroll is one of those traditional designs that work on a variety of workpieces. From firearms to jewelry, the English scroll is quite versatile.
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Continue with Keeping the English in Line! »
How can a wedding set be both a comfort and a sight to behold at the same time? When it has custom hand engraving!...
Continue with Custom Jewelry Sets »
Is it really almost 2012? Whether the world is going to end or we've still got a few generations left to go, there is at least one exciting thing to look forward to: a new training schedule!
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Continue with New Courses Are Coming! New Courses Are Coming! »
At the GRS Training Center, we see people from all backgrounds and on all different artistic paths.
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Continue with It Takes Two »
This fun and interesting piece is by James Ehlers, Professor of Engraving Arts at Emporia State University.
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Continue with Fresh and Hot Coiled Scrolls! »
Getting too close to the work under the scope and never taking an unmagnified look can cause an "uh-oh" moment when too much work is done to take a step back.
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Continue with Look Closely, Take a Step Back »
Hot diamonds in a circle, stone setters! What lovely lady wouldn't mind showing off this gorgeous band of stones on her finger?
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Continue with Between a Rock and Another Rock and Another Rock.... »
It's no secret that artists always enjoy the work of another artist. From these works, some draw inspiration, others aspiration, and others still simply admiration.
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Continue with An Artist's Trade »
Many engravers have much success engraving in gold and silver. With the cost going up every day for these precious metals, this engravable piece in steel and brass is really a shining example of how to get more from less.
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Continue with Sophistication, Sealed with Brass and Steel »
Need more clients? Putting yourself and your work "out there" is one way to make that happen. And, sometimes, work really does just fall into your hands.
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Continue with Gun Show Success! »
While graphic designer and hobby engraver Amanda Henson learned to cut with a microscope, the naked eye and a blank canvas is what she uses for engraving most of the time since taking a class.
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Continue with Engraving Can Just Be for Fun »
Steve Dunn sure knows how to throw a punch — when it comes to engraving backgrounds, at least!
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Continue with Throw the First Punch »
A follow-up to the curvy cuts Diane Scalese presented on this silver pendant from a recent class, this is one side of the finished pendant.
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Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders: Part 2 »
Looking back on the past can be a good way to reflect on the present. GRS Training Center instructor and engraving artist Rex Pedersen has a few old and personal photos to share. "These three photos are of my father," he says.
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Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 2 »
No matter what your idea of school looks like, our training is a cut above anything else. Unless, of course, you imagine one of the fantastic learning experiences provided at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with This Time, It's Personal »
Steven Landers, a hobbyist engraver currently residing in Alexandria, Virginia, will be finishing up a week of training at the GRSTC today.
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Continue with Student Work from Steven Landers »
What better way to usher in a new 56-page catalog (download it now!) than to grace the cover with a piece of history steeped in the modern world of engraving.
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Continue with A Glance at the Past: Part 1 »
Some jobs call for complete coverage, or the surface containing all design and no blank space, and some call for a much simpler design....
Continue with Simple and Sleek »
One thing Marty will tell you about engraving is that it all starts with a good design. No matter how proficient you are with a graver, a poor design leads to a poor engraving....
Continue with Art Matters to Marty »
Recently, goldsmith Josiah Hanley took a class with Diane Scalese and Sam Alfano at the GRS Training Center.
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Continue with The Future is Bright and Detailed »
Nothing says "wow" like the beautiful bright cuts from Diane Scalese.
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Continue with Curvy Cuts and Better Borders »
One of the easiest ways to treat a background in engraving is total removal of the metal with a flat graver and a stipple tool. Although it takes more time, it can be fairly foolproof in execution.
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Continue with Background Treatments in Engraving »
Nothing is better to keep the heat away from the fine wood of your desk than a hand-engraved coaster from Jeremiah Watt.
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Continue with The Coolest Coffee Cup Coaster »
Andrew Gonzales had shown off some very neat engravings before here on Featured Photos, but this recent hobo nickel takes the cake. Or the village, maybe.
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Continue with A Hobo Nickel with an Axe to Grind »
Questions come in to us at GRS about getting started with gun engraving. With inquiries ranging from tools to design, the answers can most easily be answered by instructors like Rex Pedersen....
Continue with Rex Can Teach You, Too »
With a new course coming in a just a few days, we are all excited about the projects that students will be cranking out in the near future....
Continue with Let's Meet in the Middle »
With jewelry engraving, one of the most important decisions is what to do with the border. Although leaving a plain band of metal around the edge is certainly an option, check out this quick design cut by Todd Daniels.
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Continue with Crossing the Border »
Recently, Bob Finlay taught his class covering Deep Relief Engraving at the GRS Training Center. So that the students could have a one-of-a-kind project piece, Finlay himself drew out this great Western-themed design.
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Continue with Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
Creating scrolls that keep a viewer's eye going through the artwork is an important task in designing.
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Continue with Great Scrolls! »
Weldon Lister, who does high-quality hammer and chisel work as a hand engraving artist, recently created these designs for a very special event.
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Continue with GRS Buck Knife: It Cuts Like Butter »
Sometimes the worst situation can open opportunities you did not know existed. Take hand engraver Dossie Cribbs, whose life-changing event nearly a decade ago led him to a new art....
Continue with It Just Makes Sense »
Any time an engraver has a large, irregular piece for which to design, taking into consideration the entire surface area is a big issue....
Continue with Engraving with the Whole Piece in Mind »
As far as weapons go, knives are cool. Pistols are cool. But either one is best when it has custom artwork from hand engravers like Steve Dunn....
Continue with Get More "Dunn" with Pistol Engraving »
While it is customary for a man to give his wife a gift of jewelry, some find a jewelry shop that designs and fabricates unique, custom pieces....
Continue with Sweet, Thoughtful Jewelry – With A Carat of Stones! »
Sometimes the hardest part of self-teaching is not knowing what to do to get the end results....
Continue with Pistol Progression: An Important Part of Inlay »
What a gun! This .44 Magnum has been hand engraved by artist Brian Powley, and he has done a very nice job making the engraving unified with the piece as a whole. ...
Continue with Nice Features, Nice Engraving »
One of the many great things about art is that it is not required to be based in reality. With the invention of photography, art was replaced as a factual reproduction of life and allowed to become anything imaginable....
Continue with More from Rick Eaton »
The Meek Squirrel is a great project left behind by a well-respected authority on engraving. Originally, the design for this project was a simple illustration by James “Bruce” Meek, author of The Art of Engraving (#002-164)....
Continue with Free Project Available Now! »
When working with narrow or small spaces, the best option is often a symmetrical design like the one here by hand engraving artist Sam Alfano....
Continue with Small Space? Use Symmetry! »
We've heard it time and time again here at the GRS Training Center. Simply put, there is nothing quite like the one-on-one time students receive from our instructors....
Continue with It Takes A Pro »
Recently, Bob Finlay worked with hand engravers at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas on the skills of relief engraving....
Continue with Deep Relief Engraving with Bob Finlay »
Some love the beautiful nature of cold, hard steel uninterrupted by imperfections in the metal. ...
Continue with Steel Beauty »
On the flip side of Alexander Sidorov's recreation of Damascus steel on this William Henry knife, Sidorov has brightened up the piece with stones....
Continue with The Brighter Side of Knife »
Michal Molnar and Igor Fabry of Molnar Fabry have been making beautiful, 'skeletonized' watches since 2006. To date, they have sold 12 of 15 one-of-a-kind pieces....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 2 »
One of the neatest movements in the art of watchmaking is 'skeletonizing' a timepiece. Two craftsmen from the Slovak Republic have turned their passion for an artistic hobby into a fine art business....
Continue with Bare, Beautiful Bones: Part 1 »
Damascus steel is a method of folding and fabricating a blade that turns out a beautiful pattern in the metal. With this William Henry knife, Alexander Sidorov have created a similar look....
Continue with Make It Look Like Damascus »
This piece by Sergej Manaeko shows off his talent, much like his hand-engraved watch face in the previous Featured Photos article....
Continue with Engrave & Pierce »
A timepiece can provide more than just how many hours are left in the day; it can also can show off artistry and skill....
Continue with A Little Hand-Engraved Facetime »
Much like the beautiful brass and purple anodized prototype from GRSTC instructor and professional artist Todd Daniels, here is another watch bezel from this creative artist....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel, Part 2 »
A neat technique to consider when working on a design for your piece is incorporating the use of line. This piece by knifemaker and engraver Rick Eaton is a fine example of creating interest and movement with line....
Continue with Using Line in Your Design »
At the recent BASELWORLD trade fair in Basel, Switzerland, master stone setter and artist Alexander Sidorov demonstrated his highly polished skills for the crowds who visited the GRS Tools / Glendo USA show booth....
Continue with "Watch" and Learn »
Of course, it is undeniable the skill that Alexander Sidorov infuses into every single piece of work that he creates. Aside from the beautiful form, Sidorov also pays attention to color theory to produce striking results....
Continue with Using Color in Jewelry Design »
On list of possible themes, "totem poles" seemed like a good project for Jake Newell before he started on this project for William Henry Studio. A graduate of Emporia State University in the Engraving Arts program, Newell has been engraving professionally for almost a year....
Continue with A William Henry Totem: Letting Creativity Flow »
Whether chrome plated or sterling like this loupe, many engravers and jewelers like to embellish their personal loupe....
Continue with Embellish Your Loupe »
With the price of gold, what can you do but find a substitute for some projects? As shown here on this vise, brass can make for a lovely alternative for inlay....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Brass Happy »
Rex Pedersen, a charter member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America, will be teaching a course next week that is always a blast (pun intended!) for his students....
Continue with Oh, Henry. »
Unlike what most engravers cut, Bob Finlay presents his skills in an absolutely three-dimensional style that is striking. And the best part? You can learn how to engrave like Bob!...
Continue with What A Relief! »
Every year brings something new when the GRS Training Center courses begin. With the likes of professional engravers Marty Rabeno and Diane Scalese, students have had the opportunity of a lifetime to learn directly from these experienced artists during the first week of classes....
Continue with 2011 Training Courses Begin! »
Sorting out the details of a prototype can be easily done when less expensive materials, like this stainless steel watch bezel (#011-383), are available to use....
Continue with A Fancy Watch Bezel »
Recently, Andrew Biggs of New Zealand demonstrated for GRS at the BASELWorld show in Switzerland. New to this role, he did an excellent job showing off his engraving skills for the crowds....
Continue with What Do New Zealand and Switzerland Have in Common? »
How often now with our busy schedules do we hear words like telecommute, video chat, or virtual learning? In this day of technology, it is easy to forego traditional means of communication and education....
Continue with Hands On, In Person »
Typically, what would be negative space inside the backbone of a scroll is filled with leaves. However, knifemaker and engraver Steve Dunn has taken a different approach with this design....
Continue with What Goes Inside the Scroll? »
Although this knife in its complete form was recently featured last December, this celebration piece for FEGA by Lee Griffiths has beautiful scrollwork that deserves a close up....
Continue with Overlapping & Shade Lines »
Whenever an artist needs to lay out a design that will be incorporated with an existing piece, such as a custom made knife with inlaid stone on the handle, the natural flow of the stone can lend itself quite well to creativity....
Continue with Working With Natural Flow »
Every good engraver knows and can attest to the fact that drawing (and practicing!) the elements of your designs leads to better engraved work. This drawing here is by current Emporia State University professor James Ehlers....
Continue with Great Slithering Scrolls! »
Although Marty Rabeno knows how to have a good laugh, he's no fool when it comes to engraving....
Continue with He's No Fool »
Mitchell Lurth recently engraved this GRS Low Profile Vise (#003-615). Perhaps you have seen Robert "Bob" Finlay's engraved MicroBlock or the MicroBlock with Sparkle by Alexander Sidorov and Dima Semenets, but this engraved vise is a much larger project in scale....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Adding Details »
Tools are these great inventions of man that make work easier. From hammers to saws to metal formers, jewelry work would be a bit more of a challenge without tools....
Continue with Flat or Curvy: Which Do You Prefer? »
GRS workholding blocks and vises aren't just heavy pieces of necessary engraving equipment. A vise can also become a workpiece itself....
Continue with Engraving a Vise: Sneak Peek »
The luck of the Irish abounds on March 17, and this year some lucky bidder can really "feel the green."...
Continue with Feel The Green (St. Patrick's Day Engraving) »
For engravers, the styles and techniques being shared today seem to be limitless. But what happens when you decide you want something a little different to add to your skill set?...
Continue with Oh, The Possibilities »
Classes like the Deep Relief Engraving course with Robert "Bob" Finlay are always a fun way to dig into engraving, especially with the neat Western design for his 2011 course....
Continue with Sneak Peek: Finlay's Deep Relief Design »
When your canvas is only inches in length and width, you don't quite have the same freedom of artistic expression as with larger pieces. Although you have fewer decisions to make, the ones you do make are very important....
Continue with How To Fill A Small Space »
The ability to use creative skills for anything from everyday jewelry engraving to the most special occasions is one of the best parts of being a hand engraving artist. You can make gifts for family, loved ones, friends, and even yourself....
Continue with A Custom Seal »
One professional engraver at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, has the skills. You know, the skills that not only allow her to be an excellent teacher but also allow her to execute many styles of engraving....
Continue with Basics to Brights to Advanced »
One of the ideas behind Featured Photos is to give engravers and artists inspiration for their own work. Andy Gonzales of North Canton, Ohio, has found inspiration in work by Jake Newell who was recently featured....
Continue with "Picking" Your Custom Work »
From the Czech Republic comes Vlastic Peták, a European hand engraving artist whose stunningly lifelike work is always breathtaking, has shared a recent work with us....
Continue with To Make The Most Beautiful Gun »
Starting into uncharted territory can be an intimidating task when it comes to hand engraving. When jewelry has been your focus and firearms enter the picture (or vice versa), it can be hard not to consider the possibility of failure....
Continue with My First Engraved Firearm »
A few weeks ago on Featured Photos, we showed off hand engraving on an alternative to precious (and expensive) metals. Although it seems a few engravers out there can still work with these precious metals like silver and gold, being able to transition to metals like steel and copper is a good skill to have in any economy....
Continue with Mild Mannered Steel, Super Engraving »
With the day of couples around the corner, a sweet memento for your loved one — hand engraved, of course — is the perfect way to show you care....
Continue with A Sweet Valentine: Tira & Rob »
Lee Griffiths does his best to create work that is unique and beautiful. From spiders to hornblowers to historical scenes, his work shows his creativity....
Continue with Winning Big »
Artists in general have it easy when it comes to creating a new work. The privacy of a studio allows for mistakes, frustrations, and epiphanies to come and go with the flow of creativity....
Continue with A Public Affair »
Aside from the overall sparkle and shine of jewelry, it is often to the advantage of the wearer for the piece to have some kind of character. Something that makes the jewelry unique is always eye catching....
Continue with Bracelets with Culture »
As engravers, finding a place in the art world to market work can be tough given the current economy. One way to help your income is to expand to jewelry engraving....
Continue with Successful Jewelry Engraving »
If you build your house on sand, what kind of foundation for the future do you have? Probably not a very good one. You want something solid and strong, and the same goes for the art of engraving....
Continue with The Importance of the Basics »
With the price of gold into the astronomical limits of many engraving clients, alternative metals can still provide a custom piece with flash and style....
Continue with What Can You Do With Steel? »
Sam Welch has donated a great amount of his time to FEGA. From being a founding member to serving as President and Vice President for the guild, Sam felt that it was important to be a contributing benefactor to the organization that gave his career purpose years ago....
Continue with Music to My Graver »
Over and over again, new engravers find the challenge of cutting shade lines that both look "right" and are cut properly....
Continue with Finding the Sweet Spot in Shading »
American engraver Ron Smith is well-known for his beautiful hand engraved work. He also has written several books that provide countless engravers with inspiration and the knowledge to create better designs....
Continue with Inspired by Advanced Drawing »
Igor Tarantul of Israel recently sent in some photos of his work — and, wow, what beautiful artwork to behold!...
Continue with Engraving for a Wedding »
Holden Krom does not back down from the challenges that engraving has to offer. Instead, he embraces them....
Continue with New Challenges »
Michael Dubber has been a major contributor to FEGA since its inception in 1981. From being a founding member to serving as President of the Guild, he has made a lasting impact for the organization....
Continue with Giving Back »
Full Gold Inlaid Background & Deep Relief Engraving with Alain Lovenberg will certainly be a time in engraving to remember. In case you missed the 2011 course details, here you can admire a closer look at the project piece and read more about the course....
Continue with Full Gold Inlaid Background & Deep Relief Engraving »
Since the Grand Masters 2011 application is going to be available in only eleven days, how about a sneak peek at the project for Alain Lovenberg's engraving course?...
Continue with Sneak Peek: Lovenberg's Grand Masters Project »
Lee Griffiths was eager to give back to FEGA, the organization that provided so much for him while learning how to engrave. ...
Continue with Collaboration to Benefit FEGA »
When you are in the right place at the right time, you can learn new skills and techniques that you weren't even expecting....
Continue with Round and Round We Go »
Sometimes, students want to get right into a certain field or style of engraving. Although most students benefit from the broad knowledge found in a basic course, this one might be just right for you....
Continue with A Look At Basic Firearms Engraving »
Progressing through design work can be simple for some engraving artists, those like Marty Rabeno. With years of art teaching behind him, he can knock out a beautiful scroll design with several elements....
Continue with A Work in Progress, and Progressing Through Work »
When trying something new, experimentation can be a fun — albeit challenging — task. This Featured Photo is an ambigram designed and hand engraved by Tira Mitchell in an unusual metal called niobium. ...
Continue with Experimental Color: 2011 Learn Plate »
This Featured Photo is an ambigram designed and hand engraved by Tira Mitchell in an unusual metal called niobium. ...
Continue with No Matter How You Turn It: Tira's Learn Plate »
As many may know, the Firearms Engravers Guild of America will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2011....
Continue with 30th Anniversary Watch for FEGA »
While most people in the United States are filling up on leftover turkey, potatoes, and pies, not everyone cooks the traditional turkey for the Thanksgiving holiday. From vegetarian main dishes to other poultry, one bird that few will prepare is the focus of this beautiful firearm....
Continue with A Thanksgiving Bird, of Sorts »
Studying the works of great artists has long been a way to embellish one's own artistic skills. Much can be learned though the keen observation of great work. When combining these aesthetic sensibilities with technical savvy, the results will be appealing....
Continue with Technique Meets Inspiration »
Many times, the form of an art piece expresses more about the artist than of the art itself....
Continue with No Limits to Egg Carving »
For the last few years, GRS has commissioned one of our esteemed instructors to hand engrave a piece of artwork for the GRS Training Center's course schedule brochure....
Continue with The GRSTC "Learn" Plate »
It's almost that time of year again at GRS. The near-end of the calendar year marks the announcement of the upcoming course schedule....
Continue with Get Ready For 2011 »
The late Erich Boessler, an accomplished hand engraver from Germany, engraved this firearm with an interesting combination of detail and dimension....
Continue with Multidimensional Hand Engraving, Part 2 »
Taking cues from artists like Vincent van Gogh and relief and flare cut engraving techniques, hobbyist engraver Amanda Henson decided to bring this nocturnal night owl into the day with a background of bright cuts....
Continue with Owl Covered in Light »
Hand engraving artists find inspiration everywhere. From nature to manmade structures to events to fantastic creatures we can only realize in our dreams, artists can discover something new in art that already exists....
Continue with The Doodle Ring »
Aside from the challenges of learning how to sharpen gravers and how to make the tool go where it is supposed, the art and design of engraving can be another difficult aspect for beginners as well....
Continue with How to Frame A Scene »
Everyday objects like these door knobs can become works of art with a little planning and a little creativity....
Continue with Dress Up Your Home »
So perhaps this beautifully carved piece by professional engraver and wood carver Bill Janney doesn't quite bring out the aroma of roses, but they sure do look nicely done....
Continue with Sweet As Roses »
After the tempting taste of Lee Griffith's spaghetti scrolls, here is the full plate in all its detail and glory....
Continue with Food, Italians, and Scrolls: Part 2 »
So what do food, Italians, and scrolls have in common? Well, for this sneak peek at a plate by hand engraver Lee Griffiths, these three items describe what Lee calls this scroll style....
Continue with Food, Italians, and Scrolls »
Parallel lines of equal width can be difficult to keep on the straight and narrow when it comes to hand engraving. The use of a multiple line tool can simplify the work significantly....
Continue with Keep Your Cuts In Line »
Sam Alfano is known through out the world of engraving for his ability to execute shade lines and cuts with accuracy and flair....
Continue with Beautiful Cuts, Even on a Practice Plate »
Artists are included in the lucky few who can create something beautiful and meaningful that helps a great cause. Andrew Biggs of New Zealand engraved this bracelet for just such an occasion....
Continue with A Great Cause »
Scrolls, scrolls, and more scrolls. New engraving students come up against these mysteriously created and beautifully demonstrated design elements all the time. ...
Continue with On The Hunt...For Beautiful Scrolls »
Part of being an artist is having an eye for pleasing design. As an engraving artist, sometimes the project is a pendant with no adornment — a blank canvas. Other times, however, the artist must create a design that works with what is around it....
Continue with Matching Metal and Stone »
Sandra Brady, who teaches at the GRS Training Center, has created a nice and simple piece of scrimshaw work featuring a lovely horse....
Continue with We're Not Horsing Around »
Professional engraver and GRS Training Center instructor Diane Scalese shows here how to put stone setting, Western scrolls, and a multiple-line graver to good use....
Continue with Scrolls, Stones, and Lines »
This inspiring project by student intern Mitchell Lurth is a nicely done example of shading, bright cuts, and metal inlay....
Continue with Bits of Copper »
David Drake, a machinist who works at Glendo Corporation, has shared some of the work he does in his free time in a few previous Featured Photos....
Continue with Studying English Scroll »
A recent student of the GRS Grand Masters Program, Brian Powley hand engraved this striking hammerhead made by John Rohner....
Continue with A Striking Hammerhead »
With all the styles of engraving known to the art world, Western Bright Cut is certainly one of the flashiest around....
Continue with The Spur of the Moment »
Some jobs are what they are — engraving artists, however, have the opportunity to follow a path of creativity and fulfillment every time they sit down at a bench for work....
Continue with The Artisans in the Alley »
Today's engraved artwork comes from new intern Anneliese Narcisi. This piece features a good study on how to use lines expressively....
Continue with What Lies Beneath »
Peter Shoemaker, a new student intern in Glendo's Artisan Alley division of Research & Development, started out as an Art Education major at Emporia State University. ...
Continue with A Trap and A Vice »
Art can serve many purposes. It can be beautiful in and of itself. It can convey emotion. Art can also be used to comment on — and even critique — the events of daily life....
Continue with Activism and Engraving Arts »
The Grand Masters Program 2010 brought many engraving artists to the Emporia, Kansas, training facility. One of those engravers came all the way from Germany as a special guest....
Continue with Silver Roses »
Recently, Dennis McConnell Jr. attended the intensive and challenging course with Creative Art of Italy during the 2010 Grand Masters Program. While at the GRS Training Center, he shared photos of some of his work....
Continue with A Piece of the Pipeline »
Although the students in this year's Grand Masters are not yet finished, the master project plate for the two-week course is complete....
Continue with The Finished Grand Masters Plate »
One of the most impressive aspects of fine Italian bulino engraving is that the tiny cuts that create a whole element look accurate and alive....
Continue with The Wild Cat's Meow »
As the student engravers progress from sharpening to cutting, each one shows off a new cut to the master engravers from Italy....
Continue with Small Cuts, Great Rewards »
One dozen highly skilled engravers have all started the challenge of learning the skills presented by master engravers of Creative Art....
Continue with Grand Masters 2010 Begins »
The true importance of the 2010 Grand Masters Program may only be realized by a few people. With the art of engraving becoming an open and accessible trade, younger generations may soon forget the time and effort put forth by masters like Creative Art....
Continue with The Importance of the 2010 Grand Masters Program »
With Grand Masters soon approaching and a select few guests arriving the week before, the beautiful work of New Zealander Andrew Biggs is a nice way to prepare for the masters to come....
Continue with Biggs, Maori, and Magrette »
It's always great here at GRS to see students love the work they are doing in class. It's especially nice when the students really learn and get excited....
Continue with All In A Week's Work: Bracelets, Part 2 »
As the title suggests, these bracelet were all done in one week. Students at the GRS Training Center gathered together to learn how to make bracelets from start to finish, and they did just that....
Continue with All In A Week's Work: Bracelets, Part 1 »
Much like the Start-to-Finish Firearms Engraving course, the Bracelet Engraving Techniques course helps engravers learn how to make a project from beginning to end....
Continue with Make Your Own Bracelet »
Shading can be a difficult aspect of engraving to master. Once control has been attained to the point of smooth backbones and tapered cuts, shading an element properly really comes into play....
Continue with The Purpose of Shade Lines »
One of the coolest classes at the GRS Training Center is a course with instructor Rex Pedersen, professional engraver and President of FEGA. In just one week, students have the chance to completely engrave a firearm....
Continue with A Firearm, Engraved from Start to Finish »
Learning how to engrave is tough and has a pretty sharp learning curve. It takes years to become consistently good, and years and years beyond that to become a master....
Continue with Learning Heraldic Engraving »
As students in Steve Dunn's recent class jotted a name on a piece of paper and dropped it into the cup, the clock ticked closed to the end of the week. The GRSTC students had experienced the art of engraving first-hand, and had completed a hand engraved plate under deadline as well....
Continue with The Golden Graver Award: Part 2 »
The rules were simple: you can only vote once, and you can't vote for yourself. As students in Steve Dunn's recent engraving class gathered around the finished practice plates, everyone was ready to choose a favorite....
Continue with The Golden Graver Award: Part 1 »
It's always nice to give and receive presents. For those artistically-inclined, a wonderful way to say thank you is through hand engraved gifts....
Continue with A Nice Retirement Gift »
The fierceness of a wild stallion like this one certainly deserves a formidable treatment when depicted in metal. On a plate for the Deep Relief course at GRSTC with Robert "Bob" Finlay, this horse is coming to life through the hands of engraver Mike Frakes....
Continue with Carving A Wild Stallion in Metal »
The late Erich Boessler, an accomplished hand engraver from Germany, engraved this firearm with an interesting combination of detail and dimension....
Continue with Multidimensional Hand Engraving »
One of the aspects of hand engraving that deserves much study and practice before final execution is lettering. Lettering is such an important detail of fine hand engraving that James B. Meek dedicated an entire chapter to the subject in his book The Art of Engraving (#002-164)....
Continue with By The Letter »
James Ehlers, head of the Engraving Arts department at Emporia State University, is an engraver and printmaker who teaches his skills and the art of hand engraving to students at the university....
Continue with Artist-in-Residency: Printmaking and Engraving at GRS »
Anytime an artist can transpose a design to work for multiple canvases, the possibilities for financial and creative gain are limitless....
Continue with Leather Design Meets Metal Engraving »
Practicing how to execute styles like the large American scroll or the bold German scroll is a rewarding way to expand skills....
Continue with English Scroll Is Nice »
Todd Daniels is a professional engraver and quite masterful at incorporating his engraving skills with stone setting techniques. This copper pendant here demonstrates a neat way to put the two together for optimum shine and sparkle....
Continue with All About That Sparkle »
As an artist, it can be an emotional struggle sometimes when a client requests something that may not be the best fit for you or perhaps the canvas....
Continue with It's No Average Tie Pin »
When a stone setter has advanced to the masterful quality and perfect craftmanship shown in work like this pendant, there is no arguing with the skill behind the work....
Continue with Stunning Stone Setting »
Stainless steel is a great canvas that many engravers and jewelers can use in everyday work. Personalizing items like this Al Mar Cash Clip (#019-012) is a perfect way to include customization in a practical but nice finished piece....
Continue with Bringing Stone Setting and Engraving Together in Steel »
Steel and copper are hot in the metal arts world with the price of precious metals like gold and silver so high. Copper can be used in many engraving applications, including the jewelry arts....
Continue with A Copper of Many Colors »
ESU student Mitchell Lurth has already engraved one guitar and made it into a custom work of art, but he wanted a new project to hand engrave. He purchased this Epiphone Firebird, playing it for a few months while he developed designs and ideas for the engraving....
Continue with Engraving An Epiphone »
Tim Halloran of Iowa, who has been engraving since 1986, recently completed this nice 1860 Uberti Henry Replica Rifle for Aaron McMichael of Kansas....
Continue with 1860 Henry Replica Rifle, Engraved »
Starting out with engraving can open a door to a wonderful and fulfilling world of creativity. For some, engraving becomes a new medium and a unique canvas....
Continue with Engraving is Easier Than Ever »
The art of engraving, though once a skill that took years to learn and execute the basics, is more accessible than ever. With a basic engraving class and the right tools, this wonderful field can be applied to many projects....
Continue with Bead Stringing & Custom Hand Engraving »
Here is another neat work from Andrew Biggs, engraved on the Al Mar Cash Clip™ (#019-012), with the background on the design of this engraving....
Continue with Maori & Steel »
Andrew Biggs, who has a neat style that combines traditional New Zealand Maori art with his own creative flair, engraved this 416 stainless steel bracelet at the 2010 BASELWORLD Fair in Basel, Switzerland. Here, he describes the design and the meaning behind it....
Continue with Stainless Steel at BASELWORLD »
Here are more shots of the wonderful artwork on display at a church-turned-museum in Basel, Switzerland....
Continue with More Scroll in Stained Glass »
If ever you were in doubt about whether you could carve wood, now is the time to get past that feeling. Bill Janney, creator of several videos on how to carve wood, knows how to give new life to wood and can teach you how to get started....
Continue with Simple Fish Scales »
Sometimes the tools of the trade can become the workpiece itself. During the 2010 Inhorgenta exhibition in Munich and the 2010 BASELWORLD fair in Switzerland, Alexander Sidorov created and displayed this stone-set art piece he made from a stainless steel GRS Engravable Microblock (#003-685)....
Continue with Stainless Steel: A New "Gold" Standard »
Engravers are always on the lookout for examples of good and useful art, especially scrollwork, leaves and the like. During the BASELWORLD 2010 Fair, D.J. Glaser found these windows in a Basel museum (which was formerly an old church) to be particularly interesting if not stunning....
Continue with Church Window Artwork: Inspiring In Many Ways »
In general, an engraving may fall into one of three categories: function, ornamentation or art. With a project like the Stanley Cup, the hand engraving is simply for one function: to record and display names. A beautiful scroll pattern on a firearm may be artistic and creative, and yet not art....
Continue with Function, Ornament, Art »
With an array of colors more expansive than a rainbow, the ink that fills in those purposeful little lines of scrimshaw gives the art a vibrant dimension....
Continue with Bead Stringing for Scrimshaw »
The Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) Show occurs every year, with a mix of friends and fun, engraving and guns. During the show, some of those guns (and the engraving artists) receive well-deserved awards....
Continue with An Impression of the Past »
It's always great to see a customer and friend progress in hand engraving. As you can see here, hard work and practice pays off with English scrolls on an Al Mar Cash Clip (#019-012)....
Continue with A Hobby, A Gift »
Many finely engraved knives are handmade art pieces that never get used. But the right knife with an appropriate style of engraving can be used and appreciated every day....
Continue with Engraving Knives That Get Used »
Eyes are a naturally alluring subject, the "windows to soul" as the old saying goes. But regardless of how many artists portray these corporal parts, they are still a thing of beauty....
Continue with Beauty is In the Eye... »
Monograms are a great way to personalize anything from hand towels to luggage to pendants. Here is a look at a cool monogram by hand engraving artist Tira Mitchell....
Continue with GLENDO in Monogram »
Estonia is a lucky country to host such a cool and creative engraver. His name is Viljo Marrandi and he designed and engraved this DVD box....
Continue with A Wedding Present: Mixing Contemporary with Classic »
Whether you follow Featured Photos every Tuesday and Friday, or this is your first visit — you are in for a special treat! Today's feature is a very special preview of work from the 2010 Grand Masters....
Continue with Reality or Fantasy? A Sneak Peek at Grand Masters 2010 »
Sometimes, life is just funny. Whether it is the situation at hand or an ongoing ordeal, these quick moments in time can turn into a treasured memory....
Continue with "Dave" (or How I Learned My Name Isn't Brian if I Want To Get Paid) »
During the Inhorgenta 2010 Fair in Munich, Germany, Magnus Svärd decided to make something special for his son, Jesper, who was back home in Sweden....
Continue with Art or Vandalism? Graffiti, Engraved with Stone Setting »
ESU student Mitch Lurth is at it again, carving out delightful designs for his guitars....
Continue with Music to My Graver »
Carlo Cavedon is a traditional engraver who specializes in the art of knifemaking, scrimshaw and metal engraving in Italy. This is his "Rhino Skinner", with a beautiful red maple handle, mosaic pins, and a little ring made with red jasper. ...
Continue with Thick Hide, Tough Little Skinner »
This neat technique shows a different approach to engraving custom pieces like this cross by Diane Scalese. How did she do it? Read on......
Continue with Cut It Out »
Lee Griffiths has an eye for creative, unusual, and beautiful work. He can transition from cool dragons to creepy crawlers to these noble felines....
Continue with Scrolls and Tigers and Gold -- Oh, My! »
The fundamentals are fundamental. This could be said about many subjects for which we gain skills and knowledge: math, reading, science. If you don't know how addition works you might have a little trouble with geometry, right?...
Continue with The Fundamentals are Fundamental »
Sure, it is one thing to slave laboriously on slabs of steel in your private shop — but what about executing those same cuts while complete strangers watch?...
Continue with Demonstrating Cuts Like A Pro »
James Ehlers, an engraver, printmaker, and the current professor of the Engraving Arts program at Emporia State University, designed this monogram for GRS, drawing inspiration from a century-old book on monograms....
Continue with A Monogram for GRS »
Shown here is the final step in the Nicki Pendant by Ashton Ludden on a small engravable key tag. Ashton has taken this piece from outline to finished artwork with nice results....
Continue with Remembering A Dog Named Nicki: Part 2 »
Engraver and printmaker Ashton Ludden has made a few tags for four-legged friends before, but this one is for a special pup. Ludden memorialized "Nicki" with her bulino-style engraving here shown in progression....
Continue with Remembering A Dog Named Nicki: Part 1 »
With such a rich culture, New Zealander and hand engraving artist Andrew Biggs is a highly creative individual. This bracelet, shown in both flat and bent form, is a wonderful example of sculpted, three-dimensional engraving....
Continue with Tane, Lord of the (Engraved) Forest »
In May 2009, the GRS Training Center offered a new specialized engraving course taught by Sam Alfano. He is well known for a wide variety of expert engraving including his extraordinary lettering. ...
Continue with Special Hand Engraved Letters: A New Course Teaches How »
Personalization is a perk for many who shop online and buy laser engraved goods. Perhaps you cannot purchase a hand engraved computer or iPod, but you can sure do it yourself!...
Continue with Working the Line »
Recently featured here, Sam Alfano's bright cut lumenesque technique is a great way to quickly add luster to jewelry....
Continue with The Lumenesque in Copper »
Necessity can drive a person to do many things — one of which is hand engraving, in the case of bit and spur maker Rod Teuscher....
Continue with A Scorpion in Texas »
This is — or was — an everyday utility knife, the Buck Folding Hunter Model 110. David Drake is a CNC machinist who became interested in engraving when he went to work for Glendo, the manufacturer of GRS Tools. ...
Continue with Nicely Engraved Knife by a Hobbyist »
Traditional scrimshaw work on bone does not always create a feeling of unity through design. Here, Sandra Brady has wholly designed a set of scrimshaw pieces that are unified....
Continue with Creatively Shaped Scrimshaw »
While there are several styles of engraving — from photorealistic dot techniques to three-dimensional sculpting methods — the beauty of Western Bright Cut is undeniable....
Continue with Western Watch »
Recently on Featured Photos, Engraffitti™ bracelets by Weldon Lister showed off his new and secret technique for this cool effect....
Continue with A Puzzling Piece of Jewelry »
Rick Eaton makes custom knives, but he doesn't stop there. He also engraves his custom knives, adding flush gold inlay and fine line shading. But he doesn't stop there either — he also teaches other engravers how to do the same....
Continue with Get Into Custom Knife Engraving »
College art students are famous for running low on time and money. Mitchell Lurth, a student in the Engraving Arts program at Emporia State University, cleverly designed one of his graded college art projects so it could also be his mother's Christmas present....
Continue with Art Student Gets 2-For-1 »
A stainless steel key fob is a great way to practice your skills — especially before executing a technique on an expensive piece....
Continue with Practice is Valuable »
A technique dating back many centuries, trompe l'oeil or "fool the eye" is a creative method for making two-dimensional artwork appear as if tangible and three-dimensional....
Continue with A Trompe L'oeil in Miniature »
Sam Alfano has a treasure of knowledge stored up from his many years as a hand engraving artist. One beautiful design technique that he uses is his lumenesque scroll....
Continue with The Lumenesque Scroll »
Using bright cut techniques, engraver Brian Powley finishes out the sparkling surface of these high-quality flutes with engraved designs....
Continue with Musical "Lip" Service »
Ralph Bone was a man with an excellent and remarkably broad skill set....
Continue with A Gentleman's Knife »
Sometimes engraving is the focus of a career. In John Cameron's case, it's the "icing" on his handcrafted woodwork....
Continue with Embellishing Handcrafted Furniture »
Creating a custom piece for a client using existing stones is a great way to turn out beautiful pieces of jewelry....
Continue with Aquamarine and White Gold, Cathedral-Style »
One of the goals of the Featured Photos section of the GRS site is to provide pieces of engraving, stone setting, and similar works so that another artist may be inspired....
Continue with Finding Inspiration »
Alain Lovenberg is a master of many styles. Whether he is working with lines or sculpting, his work is astonishing to say the least....
Continue with What A "Purdey" Gun »
Jean Santos of France is a hobby knifemaker and engraver. Like Tira Mitchell's titanium ring featured in August, Santos has anodized these beautiful pendants to give them a bit of color....
Continue with Japanese Beauties »
It's finally done; Mitchell Lurth has now completed his first custom engraved electric guitar during fall 2009. Previously, in Part 1 and Part 2, you saw Mitch develop the design and then start engraving. ...
Continue with Custom Engraved Electric Guitar: Part 3 »
Recently, Martin Strolz of Austria traveled to the United States to instruct his 5-day Grand Masters course at the GRS Training Center....
Continue with A Masterful Progression »
This knife by Tira Mitchell, who teaches engraving at the GRS Training Center, shows just how you can use less and get more....
Continue with Flippin' Out »
Engravers seem to be by nature artistic, creative, and innovative. Most engravers enjoy finding new ways of going about their business, whether it is a time-saving technique or a new tool geometry....
Continue with Engraffiti™ by Weldon Lister »
Luciano Bosis makes firearms, and he makes them well. A beautiful, well-made gun like this Michelangelo model is perfect and complete when paired with engraving....
Continue with Michelangelo's Bird of Prey »
This small square of metal has been transformed from a practice piece to an artistic engraving, complete with a bouquet....
Continue with Marcus Hunt's English Scroll »
Just in time for these creepy crawlers to make an appearance in all things Halloween here in the United States, take a look at the arachnids of Lee Griffiths' firearm....
Continue with Amazing Arachnids »
This sterling silver loupe is a great project piece for engravers and stone setters. In contrast to the chrome-plated version also sold by GRS, this loupe is solid silver and perfect for engraving and deep enough for stone work....
Continue with On the Border, On the Line »
This knife by engraver and scrimshander James Mitchell shows a simple metal engraving on the bolster and a nice eagle design on the handle....
Continue with Eagle Scrimshaw and Metal Engraving »
This is an example of traditional black ink on ivory scrimshaw work by engraver and scrimshander James Mitchell. ...
Continue with The Elephant »
This green beauty of a ring, with its large tsavorite garnet, is a handcrafted piece by Jura of The Netherlands. ...
Continue with Spirits of Nature »
Many elements must be considered when designing art for an engraving. Whether the design will be organic or geometric, symmetrical or asymmetrical, the details of the design are important to its success....
Continue with Symmetrical Ring Design »
Loyd Freeman, a GRS Tools customer from Georgia, enjoys his time engraving pieces like this neat belt buckle shown here....
Continue with Belt Buckle Art »
In the July 24, 2009 Featured Photos, Ashton Ludden showed a work in process, her second engraved iPod. This model has a stainless steel back; it’s a tough alloy and fairly thin, but a perfect size a shape for engraving. ...
Continue with Custom Engraved iPod – Now Finished »
Creating a design or theme for a firearm that isn't the typical hunting scene breaks free from the traditional idea of what an engraver cuts on a gun....
Continue with Bug Lovers, Gun Lovers »
Those select few engravers who receive the opportunity to study under an engraving artist during Grand Masters will be prepared for the 2009 event like never before....
Continue with Strolz on Ornamental Design Engraving »
There is a subtle difference between a creative artist and a trained professional in the jewelry world. Some professionals exist solely as a means to an end; this person is excellent at getting the job done on time and as requested....
Continue with The Work of A Stone Setting Artist »
Engravers often may work with local artists, leather crafters or jewelers to collaborate on a project. However, sometimes an engraver has the opportunity to work with someone from another country altogether....
Continue with Belgian Stone Setting with Western Bright Cut »
This piece by scrimshaw artist Sandra Brady is a large example of beautiful, made-to-order artwork. In her own words, Brady describes this excellent scrimshaw piece....
Continue with First Stewards by Sandra Brady »
With the fifth annual Grand Masters event just around the corner, looking at the work of past masters can be an enriching study....
Continue with Hunt Buttons »
Hobo nickels have long been a part of the American tradition of engraving. Older United States nickels like this one stamped 1938 are a friendly canvas for many engravers....
Continue with The Bearded, Gilded Hobo »
Time is money. This old adage rings true for nearly every industry, from engineering to medicine to the engraving arts. One time-saving tool for engravers that can also easily create less-than-desirable results is the liner or multiple-line tool....
Continue with Beautiful Use of Liners »
Inspiration for creative projects is available to artists in many different ways. From the plants and animals to the cultures of today and yesterday, the art world has a diverse resource library....
Continue with The Kwakiutl Tribe »
Bart Johnson, one of D.J. Glaser's lifelong friends, owns a small dental lab. "Bart has made every crown in my mouth" says D.J., "and it's intriguing to watch him work." Several dental lab processes are similar to making jewelry, so it's understandable that dental lab techs and dentists often enjoy jewelry work....
Continue with Fun with Dental Gold and a Tiny Diamond »
Andrew Biggs of New Zealand does a fantastic job of capturing the history and culture of his homeland. Whether stylized Maori designs of a mythical legend, or recent and recorded historical events as depicted here, his engravings are beautiful work....
Continue with The Forest Rangers of New Zealand »
While bulino style engraving can capture a moment or scene with detailed perfection, the three-dimensional aspect is represented only on a two-dimensional surface....
Continue with Three-Dimensional Engraving »
With metal prices and the current economy, using multiple colors of metal can be a financial burden when it comes to a small engraving or jewelry project....
Continue with Contemporary and Colorful Metal »
Many artists are visual learners — that's just the way those creative thinkers are hard-wired. Reading instructions in a book on how to engrave is never quite the same as learning it first-hand....
Continue with Bright Bits & Bracelets »
What better way to capture the delicate movement of a hummingbird than with bulino style engraving and fine shade lines....
Continue with Of Hummingbirds and Shade Lines »
Mike Frakes has been enjoying the engraving arts for about five years now as a hobby. Frakes attended a "start-to-finish" firearms engraving course with Rex Pedersen at the GRS Training Center in 2008 where he worked on this shotgun. Recently, he attended a second firearms engraving course with Pedersen in 2009 and had the opportunity to engrave a pistol in class....
Continue with Shotgun Engraving by Mike Frakes »
Magnus Svärd loves to challenge himself at his jeweler's bench. He is not only an expert stone setter and custom jeweler, he teaches these high level skills in his native Sweden....
Continue with Sapphires, Silver & Leather »
We as humans tend to gravitate toward certain ideas when it comes to art: we want it unique, aesthetically pleasing, and creative. One of the wonderful aspects of engraving and jewelry work is the freedom to achieve such things. ...
Continue with Funky & Modern Jewelry Design »
Even though technology has made way for improvements in hand engraving and wood carving, the underlying techniques and designs that create a beautiful work of art remain the same....
Continue with With Engraving Old Never Means Outdated »
Ashton Ludden is a developing artist and engraver who previously engraved her iPod. But the headphone jack developed a problem which meant the music had stopped. Fortunately, a friend had one they no longer needed that was the same model as Ashton's broken one. ...
Continue with Custom Engraved iPod »
Seth Becker, whose gun engraving and stone setting skills have been featured here before, usually creates engraved pieces as part of a fulfilling hobby....
Continue with Bold & Brilliant Bracelet Engraving »
For some engravers, Airtact simply provides a comfortable and natural way to hand engrave with pneumatic tools. For Seth Becker, it allows him the freedom to engrave easily using his hands....
Continue with Engraving with Airtact »
Recently, Sandra Brady's white-on-black cheetah showed the dramatic beauty of a simple yet detailed piece of scrimshaw. Here she has taken the entire spectrum of color and applied it to an underwater majesty....
Continue with Under the Sea »
With tight budgets and hard economic times, traveling for any reason comes with a significant financial investment. Although many students save money to learn first-hand from instructors at the GRS Training Center, more engravers can now learn some of these techniques right at home....
Continue with Bulino Engraving Up Close »
A third-generation artist and craftsman, Weldon Lister is a fine engraver who works with the traditional tools of the trade. On June 29, 2009, the American Pistolsmith's Guild presented his "Charge to Keep" hand-engraved belt buckle (along with the beautiful 1911 pistol engraved by Brian Powley) to the 43rd President of the United States of America....
Continue with A Charge to Keep »
A few years ago, the American Pistolsmiths' Guild commissioned member and engraving artist Brian Powley to design and engrave a Caspian Arms 1911 .45 caliber pistol for U.S. President George W. Bush as a gift. Although federal law prohibited this high-value gift to be given while President Bush held office, Powley himself recently had the honor of presenting the firearm to the 43rd President of the United States on June 29th, 2009....
Continue with A Patriotic, Presidential Pistol »
In the May 1, 2009 Featured Photos, we featured an early "working" print by Ashton Ludden of an intaglio art print with a social message from the artist. At that time, her working print showed only main lines with virtually no shading or visual dimension....
Continue with Intaglio Print with a Message: Part 2 »
Before the advent of power engraving handpieces, there were basically two ways to power a graver through metal: by hand pushing and by using a chasing hammer. Most jewelry engravers used the hand push method while most gun engravers used chasing hammers. While this generalization is not entirely accurate, it does describe the two approaches to hand-powered metal engraving. Of course, many engravers would use both methods as the need arose and according to their personal skill set and preference....
Continue with Chasing Hammer Engraved Gold Pendant »
Whenever an engraving artist is planning on a pattern, many things must go just right in order for the pattern to look nice....
Continue with Working on Patterns »
The GRS MicroBlock comes in a special version just for those creative individuals who like to make the block unique. This one features 77 white stones with a sparkling GRS logo in the center....
Continue with A GRS MicroBlock with Sparkle »
Todd Daniels decided that a scrap of sterling silver low dome rolled wire could be made into something nice while providing several unique stone setting demonstrations. The eight-day BaselWorld 2009 Trade Fair provided an opportunity to share technical advances and a chance to enjoy the company of people who appreciate fine bench work....
Continue with Silver Scrap Transformed During Trade Fair »
"I started in the jewelry business in the summer of 1969 working for a jeweler for no pay," says Ron Finch. "Once I got to the point that I could size a ring with out burning it up I got a small wage."...
Continue with 40 Years of Jewelry »
Printmaking and engraving go back some time in history, hand-in-hand as two parts that were once fundamental for printing. ...
Continue with Printmaking & Engraving »
The nickel-silver tag is a bit different from the average run-of-the-mill subject matter for an engraved work....
Continue with Hills Instead of Valleys »
Which is easier — cutting a straight line or a curved one? Each presents challenges of its own, however you approach it. But here Rex Pedersen shows a few examples of executing basic borders in different ways....
Continue with Going in Circles »
Alexandre Sidorov creates one-of-a-kind, exquisite jewelry. Whether he is planning how to set stones inside a "padlock" or creating a botanically-inspired ring, his work is always done to the highest level of perfection....
Continue with Nothing Plain or Simple for Sidorov »
The April 7, 2009 Featured Photos showed Mitch Lurth starting a new project, customizing his electric guitar with an engraved pick guard....
Continue with Custom Engraved Electric Guitar: Part 2 »
Wood engraving has a different feel to it compared to metal engraving. Like metal, wood can be harder or softer. The real difference for some engravers and carvers can be that the wood was once alive....
Continue with Giving New Life to Wood »
The story of "Maui Tikitiki A Taranga", a demi-god of Maori mythology in New Zealand, comes to life with the hand of Andrew Biggs and a smooth metal surface. He planned the layout carefully in such a way that the stylized elements would tell the incredible story....
Continue with A Cultured Timepiece: Part 2 »
Andrew Biggs loves to engrave, and he is pretty good at what he does. His work often involves bringing out the fantastic culture of his native New Zealand. ...
Continue with A Cultured Timepiece »
One of the caveats of jewelry engraving, especially when it involves soft metals like gold, is the eventual wear on the work....
Continue with An Antique Beauty »
Ashton Ludden loves the challenge of Intaglio Printing from hand engraved metal plates. It's a classic art form, but one that's fully capable of delivering a modern social message from the artist. ...
Continue with Intaglio Print with a Message: Part 1 »
The traditional black pigment on ivory is a well-known look for the art practiced by those on the high seas for years in the past....
Continue with Put Your Scrimshaw in Reverse »
The ancient techniques of chasing and repoussé are experiencing a rebirth among silversmiths, jewelry designers, creative metalworkers, and collectors. For thousands of years, the methods of chasing and repoussé have been used together to create beautiful jewelry and other wonders in silver and gold....
Continue with Chasing A Silver Vase »
Adding a monogram or lettering to a piece of jewelry can take it from plain to perfect in little time. Mastering lettering skills takes a great understanding of how the forms work, not to mention how to cut each one in metal....
Continue with An "F" for Fancy »
We as humans enjoy a balance of variety and stability. The engraving arts (and the arts in general) provide excellent examples of this very fact....
Continue with Precious Metals Everywhere »
In a previous Featured Photos, Ashton Ludden showed how drawing skills helped her engrave a turtle on one side of this brass-headed letter opener....
Continue with Engraved Letter Opener: Part 2 »
Bulino engraving is possibly the most tedious and fulfilling technique in the art when it comes to cutting. Each line or dot has to be placed carefully so that any viewer recognizes the final subject....
Continue with Fine Bulino Engraving »
One of the Artisan Alley members, Mitch Lurth, loves his guitars. So it was perhaps inevitable that he would combine his artful engraving with guitars....
Continue with Custom Engraved Electric Guitar: Part 1 »
Sometimes simplicity is as beautiful as an ornate design. Tira Mitchell cut this quick monogram to test out how well this particular silver pendant works for engraving....
Continue with A Monogram In Silver »
Sometimes an engraver can look at a blank piece of metal and immediately imagine numerous designs flowing on the smooth surface. Other times, deciding on what exactly to engrave can be a challenge. ...
Continue with Before & After: Shading Example Part 3 »
In this second part of an example in shading, this bolster by Rick Eaton shows the before and after steps from unfinished to shaded....
Continue with Before & After: Shading Example Part 2 »
Certain aspects of engraving can be learned from studying the printed words of an expert. The fundamentals of layout and design, the basics of how to use and sharpen tools, and similar principles can be studied and practiced with good results....
Continue with Before & After: Shading Example Part 1 »
One way to lay out a design that takes less time to cut but still looks great is to use larger scrolls. Knowing how to place larger scrolls with vines and leaves around a scene can make or break a layout....
Continue with Covering Large Areas Quickly »
Turquoise is a beautiful stone frequently seen in Native American and Western style jewelry. Although the bright blue turquoise Kit Carson uses in some of his other work is a popular choice, the green turquoise in these "Chola Earrings" is well paired with peridot....
Continue with It's Easy Being Green »
While there are several ways engravers can transfer patterns and images onto metal, nothing beats the speed and convenience of drawing them ... if you know how. Art student and Artisan Alley member Ashton Ludden wanted to engrave a gift. She chose a turtle theme because in her friend's culture, it's a symbol for long life. In a few minutes she found a good photo on the internet that would work for the oval brass end of a letter opener....
Continue with How Drawing Skills Help Engravers »
Featured Photos has shown many innovative stone setting techniques from a jeweler whose creativity knows no boundaries. Alexandre Sidorov demonstrated how to purposely overlap stones as a setting technique and showed his great knowledge of creating jewelry with stone setting on the inside a custom pendant....
Continue with High-End Jewelry Techniques »
Martin Strolz, who will share his techniques and skills with a select few in September 2009, has a mastery of the engraving arts. His five-day course Layout, Design & Fine Engraving Techniques for Firearms is for experienced engravers who are are ready to take their work up a notch....
Continue with Grand Work from a Grand Master »
Western Bright Cut is a very popular technique for engraving with maximum shine. This method produces brilliant designs with a small number of cuts using a highly-polished flat graver....
Continue with Bright & Shiny — Western Style »
Wood allows many freedoms for engravers and carvers. Since wood is available in so many colors, the artist has an open palette. Wood also carries such a mood to any subject that it can be swayed from comfortable to regal....
Continue with Scrolls & Wood »
Hobo nickels are a popular source of artistic engraving that employs deep relief techniques. This practice makes transforming the face of an old U.S. nickel coin a fun way to practice engraving....
Continue with A Nose for Nickels - Hobo Nickels, That Is »
One of the favorite demonstrations used by GRS staff is a star setting. It's fun to watch and fun to do because it's fast, uses several different gravers and tools, and combines an interesting variety of operations....
Continue with Some Stars are Nicely Different »
Mitch Lurth, a recent part time addition to the GRS Artisan Alley, is concentrating on refining his engraving including fine line shading. At the same time, he is testing different graver materials and geometry as part of his Alley work. ...
Continue with Mitch Lurth Shows How to Use Artistically Valid Patterns To Refine Engraving Skills »
Want the recipe for a perfect Valentine's gift that you can make for your loved one? Take some small stones of your choice, a sterling silver heart, and flat gravers polished to a mirror-like shine....
Continue with Sterling, Stones, and Bright Cuts »
The vast number of materials an engraver can turn into something out of the ordinary grows with each generation. Ashton Ludden, a college student at Emporia State University, created a deep-relief engraving out of a common household material....
Continue with Out of the Kitchen, Into the Studio »
A passion for engraving seems to be one that can be passed on from one generation to the next. Marcus Hunt of England has been cutting metal professionally ever since his father, Ken Hunt, began teaching him the trade. ...
Continue with A Master of Scroll & Scene »
Consider a line. It can create a shadow. It can imply a curve. It can even depict mood or motion. James Ehlers, who heads the Engraving Arts courses at Emporia State University, uses line to create a dynamic layout that is full of violent action and high-velocity movement. ...
Continue with The Dynamic Line »
Once you decide to learn engraving, taking that initial first step may be the hardest. Where do I go know? What tools should I buy? How much should I invest in this art?...
Continue with How to Get Started »
Working with a true master can boost your skills faster than anything else. A new engraver can study for years on end without guidance from another more experienced, but the amount of information learned in one sitting with a professional is worth every second....
Continue with Start Out with The Basics »
An age-old art still practiced by many, scrimshaw techniques and methods open up a wonderful world of history, detail, and sometimes even beautiful colors. The most traditional of scenes and techniques used for scrimshaw applications are tumultuous nautical adventures, like the one seen here....
Continue with From Traditional to Tribute: Scrimshaw »
Whether jewelry work is a new passion or a dear old friend, at some point in time a learning experience takes place. For some, it is through years of hard work and tedious challenges. Others gain experience by taking courses like those taught by Todd Daniels at the GRS Training Center. Daniels, who is well-versed in engraving as well as his jewelry work, created this beautiful ring from start to finish....
Continue with High-end Jewelry Engraving with Todd Daniels »
Vlastik Peták is a multi-talented artist living and working in the Czech Republic. He engraves, paints, carves wood, and sculpts. Vlastik purposely embraces both traditional and new engraving techniques in his work. He loves to learn new things. ...
Continue with Extraordinary Combination of Engraving Techniques & Design »
Jake Newell had a problem. He needed presents for his family members and friends and he was low on money. So, he decided to make them. ...
Continue with A Special Hand Made Gift for His Sister »
The GRS Training Center instructor and professional engraver who did this work is well known for fine line Italian-style bulino work. However, he is also skilled in creating and setting custom jewelry like these pieces here....
Continue with Bench Jewelers & Engraving »
One of the hardest parts of learning how to become an engraving artist comes after you figure out just how to control that small piece of metal called a graver. Once you learn control and how to gracefully cut monograms, scrolls, letters, and eventually even bulino-style scenes, how do you know where to put everything?...
Continue with Learn Layout & Design with Lee Griffiths »
Glendo/GRS Tools employee Shane Garriott travels around the world helping GRS Tools dealers at trade shows. Over the past few years, Shane has developed a strong interest in stone setting — in fact, he really enjoys it....
Continue with Trade Show Stone Setting Demonstration Gets Creative »
Learning to cut a particular scroll can be a challenging process that takes some time to execute it to your satisfaction. Studying the work of others is a great way to understand just how to create a certain style....
Continue with Small English Scroll & Bouquet »
Engravers can save hundreds of dollars when the holiday season rolls around by creating personalized gifts. Using your skills to engrave a pendant, key fob, knife, or other small pieces, you can make unique and custom work that is just for that one special person....
Continue with Engraving a Personal Gift »
The beautiful desert-inspired designs by Arizona native Kit Carson, like his Mariachi and Pendant previously featured, are great for inspiration. His work ranges from the festive dead musicians of his Mariachi to dazzling, jewel-encrusted bracelets....
Continue with Treasure from the Sea, Bracelet by Kit Carson »
In 2008 the GRS Training Center hosted its first metalworking course that focused entirely on the art of repoussé. Valentin Yotkov, who currently resides and works in Brooklyn, New York, is a master silversmith specializing in Chasing, Raising, and Repoussé....
Continue with Sterling Silver Metalwork »
Gary Van Syoc of Emporia, Kansas, likes to sit in his shop as often as he can to work on his newest hobby — a hobby that is turning out beautiful works of wood....
Continue with Wood Inlay and Engraving »
The art of engraving is a wonderful way to remember a loved one who has passed. Whether it's in memory of a young hunter, or a dearly treasured grandfather. ...
Continue with Engraving a Memorial Plaque »
Techniques for Deep Relief Scene Engraving is a new 2009 course at the GRS Training Center. Robert "Bob" Finlay will teach his methods and style during this intermediate course in July. Recently, his engraved MicroBlock was featured here in its final stage of engraving. Finlay created a Great Plains theme, complete with cowboys, horses, and more....
Continue with Deep Relief Engraving by Robert Finlay »
With the holiday season approaching, many search for the right holiday card to send out to friends, family, and businesses. As artists, engravers have an opportunity to create a personal and unique holiday card. Printmaking can turn an original engraving into a printed treasure that can be enjoyed by many....
Continue with Engraving & Printmaking »
Any custom knife with a Damascus steel blade has an extra quality that dresses up the look of the cold, hard steel. The knife often gains much aesthetic value from this type of forging that is created by folding and layering raw materials....
Continue with Translating the Damascus Look into an Engraving Technique »
Bringing two different styles of engraving together can certainly add variety to a small piece, such as this belt buckle here. With two styles, the effects can create a jazzy, contrasting design that has a unique look. Or two styles can bring a balance and unity to the layout....
Continue with More Bang for Your Buck »
Last month D.J. Glaser, President of Glendo Corporation, introduced his new “Volcano” stone setting technique in a tutorial in the GRS Online Resource Library. After demonstrating the technique in a copper bracelet, Glaser wanted to explore the use of this setting with different stone shapes and in a variety of metals. This new piece featuring the “Volcano” setting technique focuses on setting an oval-shaped sapphire in a stainless steel key tag....
Continue with Volcano Stone Setting in Stainless Steel »
Lost wax casting methods for jewelry pieces can create beautiful pieces embellished with custom stones setting and engraving. But this ring, with its 2.63 carat pear-shaped diamond floating around a ring of pavéd stones, was completely hand-forged and fabricated by one talented jeweler....
Continue with Fabricated by Hand »
History often lends itself to future fashions. Whether the fashion is in clothing, cars, or jewelry, styles of the past create a rich library of details and looks for creating new artistic work....
Continue with Pearl & Diamonds: Inspired by Art Deco »
From firearm parts to folding knives, brilliant diamonds of all colors and sizes are popping up on non-traditional work, and the results are stunning. This piece by Rick Eaton is an excellent example of how to incorporate these stones with engraved work on something other than jewelry....
Continue with Wrapped Up in Diamonds & Gold »
Playing with words as design elements as an engraver can be both fun and challenging. This bracelet by Tira Mitchell plays with words in a unique way — by using an ambigram as the focus of the layout....
Continue with An Ambigram in Stainless Steel by Tira Mitchell »
Robert 'Bob' Finlay is a skilled engraver who finds great joy in this art form. He has been engraving for several years, creating deep relief engravings on anything from buffalo nickels to the engravable GRS Microblock....
Continue with Engraved Microblock: The Great Plains »
Today in the United States of America, many people have the privilege to vote in the general election. For those who take pride in their country, what better way to show off your national colors than with a beautiful and bright scrimshaw design....
Continue with Scrimshaw: Show Your Colors »
Out of the rich culture of New Zealand, Andrew Biggs brings a fresh approach to scroll and engraving design that has deep roots. He adds his own personal twist to a style that goes back to the first settlers of his homeland....
Continue with Oceania Scroll Bracelets by Andrew Biggs »
In July of 2008, Josh Van Haelen came to Emporia for Bill Janney's Basic Wood Carving & Engraving course. He brought his desire to learn and left with a beautifully engraved gun....
Continue with Carve Your Own Gunstock »
When a Master's skills, knowledge, and experience rise to such a high level of mastery, challenging one's own creative and technical abilities is natural. And that which would otherwise seem to be impossible becomes possible....
Continue with This Petite Pavé Treasure will leave you with questions. . . »
Martin Strolz, who will teach at the 2009 Fifth Annual Grand Masters Program, has been an engraver almost his entire life. Starting out with the basic tools even before he could drive legally in his home country of Austria, this talented master has a substantial and elegant portfolio of work....
Continue with A Glimpse at Martin Strolz »
One of the great things about engraving is the custom look that can be created for a client, loved one, or friend. Unlike store-bought or mass-produced cast "engravings" on jewelry and the like, a hand engraver can create something that is one of a kind and meaningful....
Continue with It's Rich, Not Fancy »
What started out as a failed attempt at a trade show has been transformed over time into a unique method of stone setting. The volcano setting, as explained in The “Volcano” Technique, Stone Setting Tutorial here on the GRS website, works by setting the stone on the top of the bracelet instead of underneath....
Continue with The Volcano Setting in Copper »
For those familiar with the work of Sam Alfano, especially his micro-lettering and engraving, these bracelets are nothing short of breathtaking. This particular style, inspired by sculptural engraving techniques and Western Bright Cut, is the Flare Cut refined and formally taught by engravers Ron Smith and Diane Scalese. ...
Continue with Save Time with Flare »
Nothing compares to a real master engraver instructing you as you learn new skills and techniques. Although true masters are becoming more and more rare, a few like Alain Lovenberg pass on the skills and knowledge they have attained. ...
Continue with Lovenberg's Masterful Lines »
With over 33 years of teaching experience and 30 years as an engraver, Marty Rabeno is used to standing at the front of the classroom as an instructor. This past week, though, offered him a rewarding moment of enrichment in his life-long career. It was then that he became a formal engraving student for the very first time, studying under master engraver Alain Lovenberg....
Continue with Opportunity of a Lifetime »
No doubt, after viewing such drawings and engravings as those done by Alain Lovenberg, it's easy to see that it takes quite a bit of skill to create such an image from lines. Many people may be familiar with the type of artistic style from the portraits that grace modern paper currency. ...
Continue with Line After Line... »
The first Grand Masters course of 2008 covered the art and techniques of three-dimensional sculpting using a graver. The method, although fairly straightforward, takes time to bring the beautiful design up out of the metal. ...
Continue with Three-Dimensional Sculpted Engraving from Philippe Grifnée »
No matter the experience or knowledge one has, there is always something more to learn. Even an engraver who has cut metal nearly his entire life can learn a new technique or method that will advance his skills further. ...
Continue with Learning Something New »
Most people are familiar with the Italian method of dot technique for bulino style engraving. Another traditional technique for creating photorealistic scenes is more graver-centric. This method uses lines instead of dots, and it will be the focus of Alain Lovenberg's 2008 Grand Masters course....
Continue with Engraving with Lines: Alain Lovenberg »
He has engraved the guns of Holland & Holland, James Purdey & Sons, and many more. His execution of scrolls and three-dimensional sculpted engraving is accurate, yet the "human touch" remains visible in his work. Philippe Grifnée of Belgium will be passing on his experience to a select few at Grand Masters 2008....
Continue with Exquisite Harmony with Philippe Grifnée »
Adding beauty to this world through the engraving arts seems to come naturally to a few people. No matter how big or small, engraving can give just the right touch of elegance and class to anything....
Continue with Engraved Lace Bobbins »
Diane Scalese, with her mirror-like bright cuts, engraved a similar pendant that was featured earlier in May. Because she is doing something new by bringing together the Western-style bright cuts and highly-detailed bulino engraving, Scalese decided to try this design in steel first....
Continue with Try it in Steel, Cut it in Silver »
As a university professor at the Seoul National University and a long-time artist, Joon Cho Sung recently accomplished a rather large goal. For nearly four years, Joon Cho has saved his money and waited for the moment when he would travel to the small town of Emporia, Kansas....
Continue with Fulfilling a Dream: From South Korea »
With time and pressure, carbon changes to diamonds and artists produce interesting works of art. This little gem of a mountain man was engraved by GRS Training Center instructor Lee Griffiths. While at the Denver Knife Show, Griffiths worked on this demonstration piece over the course of three days....
Continue with Mountain Man by Lee Griffiths »
What's the value of an American nickel coin? Five cents, mostly. Unless of course, an engraver has gotten a hold on one and transformed this small denomination coin into a sculptural piece of artwork like the ones here....
Continue with Hobo Nickels from Marcus Hunt »
Many artistic endeavors spring from the well of gratitude. A handmade work of art carries with it the time and effort of the artist. This intrinsic quality adds even more value for the person who deserves such a gift....
Continue with Comparing Rubies to Cherries »
Not every piece of engraved work ends up fulfilling its life purpose. Sometimes things happen in life that are beyond our control, there's no doubt about it. However, even if an engraved piece such as this one doesn't end up on its rightful saddle, it is still artwork that anyone may appreciate....
Continue with A Horn Cap in Silver & Copper »
This custom knife was made by H.J. “Herman” Schneider and engraved by Ron Skaggs. It was ordered at the 1980 Knifemaker’s Guild show in Kansas City and delivered in mid-1981. Mr. Schneider’s name is clearly inscribed on one side of this gold inlay hunter, but there is no engraver’s identification by Skaggs on it....
Continue with A 1980's Knife by Schneider and Skaggs »
A bracelet like this one - with its domed surface and neat hinge - is quite different perhaps from what many engraver's encounter in the jewelry field. Fitting nice and snug on a small feminine wrist, this thick cut of metal is a bold choice....
Continue with A Bracelet of a Different Shape »
Tira Mitchell, who now teaches Basic Engraving at the GRS Training Center, is well known for her chromed pieces. She engraves in many different metals, and some parts like the ones here end up as slick looking covers, caps, and parts for motorcycles....
Continue with More Chromed Engravings by Tira Mitchell »
Wearing jewelry made of precious metals and other natural material goes back many generations. Although what is of value varies from one culture to the next, jewelry is an important accessory for many. One of the ways that jewelers can increase the value of their work is by adding engraving....
Continue with Engraving Jewelry with Sam Alfano »
In this final installment of the Engrave a Gun in One Week series, featured here are three talented engravers who completed engravings on their own firearm during the course with Rex Pedersen....
Continue with Engrave a Gun in One Week: Part 3 »
As the week draws to a close, the students in the Intermediate Firearms Engraving course are hard at work putting the finishing touches on their shotguns. To start out on this project, the students practiced cutting lasered patterns on metal plates to get a feel for the designs....
Continue with Engrave a Gun in One Week: Part 2 »
Making and selling casts of your work can be quite commonplace if you've had your graver to the grindstone for a few years now. But for some, being able to create and own a three-dimensional plastic cast to study is a new concept....
Continue with Engrave a Gun in One Week: Part 1 »
There is a certain joy in creating your own piece of artwork completely from the canvas to the final application of the design. Having control over the size, shape, and material of your canvas allows a freedom that is satisfying for many artists....
Continue with Engraving Glass: The Beginning of the Blues »
The statement "Love What You Do, Do What You Love" sums up the personal philosophy of one engraver who has been doing what he loves for over thirty years. Kit Carson is an Arizona-born artist whose eclectic jewelry style is attractive and unique....
Continue with Love What You Do, Do What You Love »
Shade lines can be challenging for many new engravers. Learning to control a graver is one thing — executing well-spaced, natural shade lines is another. This Al Mar knife engraving has fine shade lines that are perfect for study....
Continue with Shade Lines Are Important »
As beautiful, three-dimensional sculpted engraving techniques on metal become ever more popular among engravers and collectors, a great way to hone those skills is to try another canvas....
Continue with Apply Your Artistic Skills to Wood »
It is a true skill to be able to form raw materials into a piece that is not only functional but a work of art as well. Taking the craft of knifemaking even one step further, Steve Dunn has beautifully engraved this custom knife....
Continue with A Touch of Gold »
Engraving adds meaning and emphasis to objects of value. But what things have enough value that the owner wants to add something special? Traditionally, engraving is found on jewelry, fine knives and firearms, writing instruments and the like. But each new generation makes their own list of value. ...
Continue with Treasures Vary Generation to Generation »
Stone setting is becoming more and more prevalent in the world of engraving. As engravers gain new clients and new skills, the traditional craft of setting stones in metal comes as a natural "next step"....
Continue with Bright Cuts & Citrine Stones »
This stainless steel bracelet has a personal story behind it. Jake Newell, a student at Emporia State University, wanted to engrave something for D.J. Glaser, who has enjoyed watching Jake’s engraving skills develop wonderfully. Somewhat serendipitously, D.J. has had a theme he wanted engraved for his wife, Linda. Canada Geese are known to mate for life. And the flight formation used by migrating geese is designed so the lead goose makes the journey easier for the rest. ...
Continue with Wingtip to Wingtip »
The Al Mar Osprey shown here may appear large in scale with these crisp and confident flare cuts, but in reality this petite knife measures only 2.3125" in length and weighs approximately 0.6 oz. ...
Continue with Bold Style, Diminutive Knife »
This plate, which Lee Griffiths engraved at the East Coast Custom Knife Show in February 2008, is another example of his wonderful affection for these mythical creatures. This Dragon Plate shows areas of sculpted and traditional engraving, much like the Dragon Gun. But because Lee engraved this piece at a show, he did not intend for this simple steel practice plate to become such an charming beauty. ...
Continue with Lee Griffiths' Dragon Plate »
People love to have a tangible reminder of certain things - anniversaries engraved on weddings bands, lifetime achievements recorded on plaques, portraits of the favorite hunting dog cut on the side of a firearm. These things are most often commissioned by a client for an engraver to design and create....
Continue with A Day to Remember, Engraved in Copper »
Charles Schreck, a retiree who engraves mainly as hobby, decided to do a quick experiment with this $5 Wal-Mart mug to practice on a curved surface. He soon found out that the thin, inconsistent stainless steel meant lots of resharpening for the tip of his graver. Whereas some metals like gold or copper are softer and easier to cut, most hard steels will dull or break a graver tip in no time....
Continue with Working with Steel »
Nowadays, cell phones are almost so commonplace that many people cannot imagine life without one. Phones can store personal calendars, business contacts, to-do lists, even take photos with an integrated digital camera. These small devices become so personal with all this information stored inside, yet the external facade remains unexceptional and without identity....
Continue with Adding Tradition to Technology with Engraved Art »
Jake Newell, an ESU student with strong artistic skills, has been engraving for a little over a year now. Through several courses at the GRS Training Center and private instruction in engraving, Jake's hobby is progressing in creative ways....
Continue with Experimenting with Round Gravers »
A new year of training courses brought a few new engraving instructors to the GRS Training Center, one in particular who produces interesting works on unique surfaces. Tira Mitchell's work has been featured here previously with her engraved Filigree Egg in November 2007....
Continue with Wonderful Symmetry in Chrome »
A thoughtful and considerate surprise from a husband to a wife is always a welcome gift, especially when the present is created by the hands of the spouse. Handmade gifts always carry a little more meaning in the eyes of the receiver, regardless of the medium. ...
Continue with Cupids In Silver, A Bracelet by Robert Strosin »
Lara Yaremko traveled from Queensland, Australia, all the way to Emporia, Kansas, so that she could gain new artistic skills. While talking about engraving and jewelry at the training center, Yaremko had excitement in her voice and passion in her eyes thanks to the engraving arts....
Continue with A Young Perspective on Engraving & Jewelry »
Twelve students and a GRS Instructor filled the GRS Training Center during the week of May 19, 2008. This course focused on the technical stone setting method of micro-pavé. Micro-pavé is a beautiful stone setting technique that involves a great amount of math, especially formulas, to allow for such precise stone setting. ...
Continue with Learning Micro-Pav »
Jewelry is an everyday part of life in most cultures. One aspect of jewelry that people love regardless of cultural differences is a sparkling stone. When over 300 diamonds grace the sides of a ring like the one shown here, it's definitely a sight to behold....
Continue with A “Love Triangle” of Stones »
Stone setting is a delicate and technical craft. It requires precision and care so that stones stay in place and are not broken during the setting process. Once these fundamentals are learned, a stone setter can discover creative new techniques....
Continue with A Sculpted Setting Technique »
Although metal engraving has always been the central focus of the GRS Training Center, courses have branched out over the years into wood carving, scrimshaw, and stone setting. This year brings a new facet of using metal as a canvas with a class dedicated to repoussé....
Continue with The First Repoussé Course at GRS
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A monogram always has a personality, regardless of the application. It can range from rigid to sophisticated to dramatic. Depending on the design of the letter, a monogram can reflect a variety of traits. This is a good point to consider when choosing a monogram style for a client....
Continue with Engraving a Simple Monogram »
Western Bright Cut looks great and has many applications, from bracelets to conchos to belt buckles. With the highly-reflective cuts and such versatility, many engravers love to use this style. ...
Continue with Bulino and Bright Cut »
This loupe by Sam Alfano illustrates one of the many ways a blank piece of metal can be transformed into an artistic canvas. Alfano engraved this as a demonstration at Baselworld 2008. He used several basic engraving techniques to distinguish objects in the foreground from those in the background....
Continue with Techniques to Expand Your Engraving »
Color brings a whole new level to the artistic work of scrimshanders. With the addition of color, an artist not only has to compose a layout, but the colors must be chosen and applied appropriately. ...
Continue with Scrimshaw: Roses Are Red »
Engravers and artists can find inspiration for a design in many places. Whether a design is wholly unique, inspired by another work, or based on century-old penmanship, the metal transformation is always stunning....
Continue with A Beautiful Style in Gold and Diamonds »
This progression photo of Lee Griffiths’ “Dragon Gun” shows the beginnings of a unique character slithering into a scene of scrolls. Once a simple Perazzi Over-and-Under shotgun, Griffiths has transformed the plain and smooth metal into a textured fantasy....
Continue with The Dragon Gun, Part 3 »
With the current high cost of silver, gold and other precious metals, it’s a good time to try some alternatives. Copper and stainless steel are two metals with increasing popularity in the jewelry industry, especially with younger clients. Copper has been used for centuries for jewelry; some wearers believe it helps relieve arthritis and other ailments....
Continue with Using Alternative Metal for Custom Jewelry »
Engravers and stone setters who have enough experience know that any geometric design requires a higher level of accuracy than most other applications. With scrolls and scenes that flow with a more "artistic" quality, the elements can be put together any number of way as long as the design is pleasing....
Continue with Pavé Stone Grid »
Beau Arndt, an 18 year old Emporia State University student, was shot and killed while goose hunting with his friends in December 2007. In his memory, fellow ESU student and hobbyist engraver Jake Newell created this memorial plate as a gift for the family....
Continue with In Memory of a Young Hunter »
This brass demonstration plate has been around the trade show block a time or two after nearly two years of travel. Despite the small blemishes on the metal, the graphic beauty of this work by Sam Alfano is clearly evident....
Continue with Engraved Enhancements for Setting Stones »
A punch dot background is an efficient and attractive way to add texture, contrast, and sparkle to the metal. This silver loupe features a punch dot (beading tool) background that is quite deep. And, punch dot backgrounds are relatively fast and easy to complete because the tool is a standard beading/punch dot tool....
Continue with Deep Dot Backgrounds »
To most people, mentioning sapphires conjures up images of a deep and sparkling blue. Sapphires are affordable and well-known. But most clients may not know that sapphires known as “fancy sapphires” come in a range of colors....
Continue with Sapphires Come in Many Colors »
As a mostly self-taught artist, Robert Strosin creates work that is quite stunning. He engraved this pendant as a birthday present. Made for his daughter Karen, Strosin said that this pendant could one day be passed on to Karen's own daughter Kate. ...
Continue with Gold with a Capital "K" »
Todd Daniels, an accomplished engraver and jeweler who also teaches at the GRS Training Center, created this Italian specialized trap shooting gun's grip cap from start to finish. Not only did he do all the gunsmithing and woodwork modifications so the gun could receive the hand made grip cap, Daniels also did the engraving, gold inlay, and stone setting for it. The client requested his initials "JV" specifically for this custom grip cap, which Todd made by hand from 5mm raw steel. ...
Continue with A New Style for Firearms »
With 40 years in the jewelry industry, Brad KleinSmid has developed many complementary skills that let him creatively join metal and stones. His talents also include custom jewelry design and lapidary. Brad is mainly self-taught but has taken several courses at the GRS Training Center....
Continue with Balancing Curves, Stones, and Colors »
The man who engraved this fine knife, Steve Dunn, became a Master Bladesmith well before he learned to engrave. Steve designs and builds his own custom knives, as well as engraves his own knives and those of others....
Continue with Knife Engraving by Steve Dunn »
With engraving, the artist takes a bit of the metal away to create an attractive design. The art of Ornamental Chasing and Repoussé, however, moves the metal into new positions for a three-dimensional work of art....
Continue with Learn Metalwork with Valentin Yotkov »
This piece of hand engraved artwork is nothing short of breathtaking, especially considering that American engraver Winston Churchill uses hammer and chisel for many of his engravings....
Continue with Winston Churchill Pendant »
Those who know Sam Alfano have probably seen a few examples of his beautiful leaf script lettering. While at a trade show in Munich, Sam engraved this stunning script and Dmitry “Dyma” (Dee-ma) Semenets of Antwerp, Belgium set the stones – all as a live demonstration....
Continue with Leaf Script by Sam Alfano »
The way shade lines follow a scroll's spine gives a certain feel and style to an engraving overall, adding dimension and life to the art. Sometimes, though, an engraver chooses to do something with shade lines that is a little different – and really eye-catching....
Continue with Scroll Shaded Differently »
A Featured Photo in May 2007 shows an unusual technique of overlapping stones to create something visually and mechanically different from most stone setting techniques. Here is another example in a finished pendant. ...
Continue with Overlapping Stones, Part 2 »
Lettering and monograms are usually created solely with engraved lines. This pendant, however, shows a neat way of combining stone setting with engraving....
Continue with Combining Engraving with Stone Setting »
Typically, a grid of pavé set stones goes hand in hand with linear bright cut borders. However, this ring shows a different way of lining these stones up with a nice, new touch to the borders....
Continue with Pavé Without the Usual Bright Cuts »
Featured in December for its complex sculpted trigger guard, this firearm has several dragons adorning its sides. Lee Griffiths, an engraver who also teaches at the GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, created most of this fierce little dragon using multi-colored metal inlays. ...
Continue with A Dragon of Many Colors »
Artistic craftsmen such as those who work with wood and leather often benefit from adding small silver ornaments to their work. Many of these same talented artists do not yet have the skills to create their own embellishments, but they would like to be the sole creator. It is easy to start learning with training from GRS....
Continue with Embellish Your Leatherwork »
Weldon Lister, an active member on the iGraver forums and a talented hammer-and-chisel engraver, knows good advice when he hears it. While attending the 2007 Grand Masters Program with instructor Winston Churchill, Weldon took some of Winston's wisdom to heart: remember the jewelry market, and don't overlook it in favor of strictly engraving firearms....
Continue with Beautiful Firearms Style Bracelets »
This gold pendant, though simple in the use of elements, conveys an elegant beauty that perhaps has yet to be tamed. Engraved by René Delcour, a well-known artist of Liége, Belgium, this pendant combines nature with design principles for a very effective use of space. ...
Continue with Engraving a Simple Project: Nature & Design »
Robert "Bob" Finlay has many talents. One of his most impressive is his engraving skills. Although he hasn't been engraving as long as some, this fine man learned quickly and began a passion for this art that spurred him onto creating such wonderful and complex pieces as this Engraved Microblock. ...
Continue with Engraved Microblock: The Finished Block »
How wonderful is it to receive a gift made just for you? General Manager Kim Pember received this beautiful hand made and engraved glass vase from Glendo employees this Christmas. Glendo commissioned this work of art from Emporia State University student Evan Markowitz....
Continue with Engraving Glass: Wine & Dine »
A challenge that many engravers face is executing a design on a final project piece for the first time. Apprehension can cripple the creative process, wasting valuable time and money. On the other hand, rushing boldly through a project can also be detrimental....
Continue with Engraving a Shotgun, From Start to Finish »
People love to have personalized possessions. Whether it's a handmade handkerchief with embroidered initials or a wedding band with a romantic inscription, everyone feels special to receive something so personal....
Continue with Engraving a Simple Project: Script Lettering »
When most people think of a signet ring, the traditional look that bears initials or a coat of arms is foremost in the mind's eye. Because the function of a traditional signet ring is to create a seal, the face of the ring is usually stone-free and carved in reverse as a negative....
Continue with Variation on Signet Ring Design »
There are many transfer methods that engravers use to apply a design. Common techniques include using Chinese white and a pencil, stippling (as seen in the 2007 Featured Photos #38-1), or applying chemicals to inkjet and laser copier prints. ...
Continue with One Way to Improve Skills »
There are many ways to take a flat, cold piece of metal and turn it into a beautiful and warm work of art. With all the different styles and techniques available, engravers have so many possibilities. ...
Continue with Adding Dimensional Style »
Finely crafted knives and engraving are two art forms that pair well together. For any artist, sole authorship, or creating a piece from the ground up, creates a great feeling of accomplishment....
Continue with The Art of Knifemaking »
Sometimes engraving several projects that involve traditional game scenes and scrolls can keep engravers so busy they don't try other themes. Celtic designs can add variety to your engraving and some invigorating artistic challenge that adds depth and interest to your skill set. ...
Continue with Celtic Designs »
Next time you want try a new project to expand your skills, consider combining two different styles of engraving — you might find a couple of styles that create an interesting blend. This sterling silver loupe, engraved in front of a live audience at the Hong Kong Trade Show, brings a few elements together for a neat touch of beauty and symmetry. ...
Continue with Asian Writing Meets English Scroll »
Depending on the project, a theme or main element may have already been determined by your client. One mistake that those with less experience tend to make is creating a boring composition....
Continue with Composing an Interesting Scene »
Notorious for engraving on non-traditional items, Scott Pilkington has created a new look for this pair of metal chopsticks. By adding simple scroll and leaves to these chopsticks, normal wooden chopsticks don't even come close to being this nice....
Continue with Adding Beauty to Chopsticks »
Damascus steel creates a unique look, but it's too expensive and labor intensive for some pieces. And, many metals can't be worked like the steels used in traditional Damascus. Here's an alternative that engravers may consider by creating a similar pattern that gives a Damascus-inspired look....
Continue with Inspired by Damascus »
Eberhard Mach is a jeweler, stone setter, and jewelry arts teacher in Muenster, Germany. His style is a subtle combination of traditional elements complemented by innovative features. ...
Continue with Clean Design with Boldness and Balance »
Many experienced engravers, including Lee Griffiths and Bob Finlay, agree that metal sculpting takes quite a bit of time. However, it is worth it – this method of engraving is greatly admired by collectors and engravers....
Continue with Engraved Microblock: Riding into the West »
What do the letters A, B, C, E, G, H, and S have in common? When it comes to designing a monogram, these are the easiest letters to bring together for most people. The other 19 letters give many engravers and designers trouble when creating a beautiful monogram....
Continue with A System & Standard for Monograms »
As more and more people learn skills such as engraving and stone setting, beautiful artwork is being created and shared daily. Such passionate artists are stretching into new worlds of creativity, many of which are based on old world traditions and methods....
Continue with Ornamental Chasing & Repoussé »
Scrolls are a very natural occurrence. You can find them in plants and animals all over the world, so it's no wonder that humans try to recreate them in art. Most engravers study long and hard to understand all the ways and styles of constructing this natural beauty. One such style that is quite common among engravings is the English Scroll....
Continue with A Traditional Beauty »
Firearm engravings can range from large, simple scrolls to ornate inlays and overlays, fancy scrollwork, and intricate scenes. An exquisite example of a complex firearm engraving is this “Dragon Gun” by Lee Griffiths....
Continue with A Sculpted Trigger Guard »
Whether on a piece of paper or a sheet of metal, practicing layout and design skills is important at any level. Creating flowing scrolls, leaves, and vines can lead to developing a new style that is unique....
Continue with Practicing Scrolls »
Jeff Minor, a versatile craftsman from Salmon, Idaho, has been engraving for eleven years. He started to engrave almost as a business necessity to complement his leather work. Since then, he has been purposely improving and broadening his skills so that he can branch out into other areas and add new clients....
Continue with How One Engraver Adds New Style »
Since she first learned about engraving, Dorothy Funk has taken several courses at the GRS Training Center working toward her personal goal of becoming a more advanced engraver. She's taken a Basic Western Engraving course with Diane Scalese, and recently the new the Transition Course: Flare & Bright Cut Engraving on Silver to Steel taught by Ron Smith and Diane Scalese. ...
Continue with Invest in Yourself and Grow »
Engravers, wood carvers, and stone setters are drawn to creative handwork, perhaps more than other artists. And, they are constantly seeking different opportunities to make something beautiful....
Continue with Art Appears in Many Forms »
Artistic endeavors like this engraved pendant can give a renewed sense of peace during a tough time in life....
Continue with An Engraved Legacy of Love »
Most of the time you'll find a nice scroll pattern engraved on the side of a shotgun or carved on a wood gunstock. However, this November the office of Glendo / GRS had a unique piece of artwork decorating the front lobby: an "engraved" pumpkin!...
Continue with An Engraving-Inspired Decoration for Fall »
James “Bruce” Meek, author of The Art of Engraving (#002-164), was working on his second book The Engraver and His Designs when he passed away many years ago. Bruce had already made several engraved illustrations for this second book in the same manner he used for his first book: by engraving a black acrylic sheet painted with white lacquer. ...
Continue with The Meek Squirrel by James B. Meek »
This beautiful bulino work was done by 21-year-old Jake Newell, an Emporia State University student. With less than a year of experience, Jake is creating high-quality artwork and learning very quickly. He has only had two semesters of engraving courses at ESU and is working toward a degree in education....
Continue with A "Loony" Engraving »
Glass engraving, like a bulino scene in metal, can tell a story that is as beautiful as a painting yet refreshingly different in important ways. One freedom glass artists enjoy is creating original glass work and then engraving it. So, unlike other engravers, glass artists can have greater creative control of the work piece before the engraving begins. This example is by Emporia State University student Evan Markowitz....
Continue with Engraving Glass: Stone and Fossil Theme »
Learning is exciting, especially as you discover new techniques and improve your skill with every cut. This bracelet features the word "Learn" created by a wonderful combination of engraving and stone setting. It's a beautiful example of how engravers and jewelers can build new business and artistic opportunity by combining these complementary skills....
Continue with The Opportunity to Learn »
Here is the next step in Bob Finlay's impressive Engraved Microblock. In July and September 2007, we showed the two early stages of the block. The stage in September described how to lay out a scene – this step shows the finished result of that process....
Continue with Engraved Microblock: Progression from Layout to Sculpting »
"The Beginning of Life" is a magnificent art jewelry piece crafted by Alexandre Sidorov, an acclaimed stone setter and instructor in Antwerp, Belgium. This striking designer pendant exhibits advanced jewelry techniques executed flawlessly. It is truly a one-of-a-kind....
Continue with The Beginning of Life »
Much like the attendees of the 2006 Grand Masters course with Creative Art, these 2007 GMP students benefit from a team of instructors. This week the students get a double shot of engraving knowledge from two well-known engravers from across the Atlantic. ...
Continue with Teaming Up for Grand Masters »
Week 1 of the twelve-day Grand Masters Program began on Monday, October 8th in Emporia, Kansas. Throughout the day, students eagerly and intently listened to 2007 Grand Masters Instructor Winston Churchill. ...
Continue with The First Day of Grand Masters »
Numerous authorities, collectors and engravers consider Winston Churchill the greatest American engraving artist to date. He quietly creates his remarkable beauty on the same Vermont farm where he was born and still resides today. His total artistic dedication to detail and accuracy is more than well-known; it's how he captures and preserves an elegant part of America in his extraordinary engravings....
Continue with Making Beautiful History »
At the age of 15, Ken Hunt began what would be an incredible journey of discovery and innovation. He took the first step as an apprentice to James Purdey & Sons in London with outworker Harry Kell....
Continue with Grand Master Instructor Ken Hunt »
Nearing the end of the first week of the Third Annual Grand Masters Program, the students are quiet and focused. With such serious students one can expect to see some serious advancement. The work featured here is a contrast between using traditional tools and pneumatic ones. Although both are different, these students are quickly adding value to their skills through this class....
Continue with The End of Week One - Grand Masters 2007 »
As Grand Masters 2007 comes to a close, one can find some impressive advancements being made with these twelve engravers. Practice plates lined with small English scroll look better and better from one day to the next....
Continue with Fine English Scroll, Gold Inlay & Damascene »
Many people - collectors included - love the bold elegance and style of sculpted metal. That look, however, can be a bit cost-prohibitive at times. ...
Continue with The Sculpted Look in Less Time »
Much like cutting metal, wood engraving can be very challenging and rewarding. This jewelry box was engraved by professional woodcarver Bill Janney. Bill retired from General Motors as a professional trainer. His love of woodcarving and the desire to teach it led him to write the successful book Gunstock Carving, as well as create instructional videos on fish scale and basket weave pattern carving. ...
Continue with Learn to Engrave Wood »
In July 2007, we presented the first step for this high-relief engraving by Robert L. “Bob” Finlay on his GRS Microblock engraving project. Here's the next step....
Continue with Engraved Microblock: One Way to Create a Scene Layout »
James “Bruce” Meek considered Don A. Glaser a friend and a fellow engraver, although Don’s engraving was a hobby and not equal to the work done by top professionals. Still, Don clearly had good graver control and metal working skills. The problem for him, like many engravers, was often design....
Continue with A Special Lesson for a Friend »
Graver shape determines much of an engraved piece's overall look and feel. A square graver narrowed to less than 90 degrees (80, for example) is excellent for fine bulino scenes because the narrow cuts reflect less light giving the engraved image a wide range of gray tones for good contrast....
Continue with Silver Bracelets (Part 4) »
People from around the world take courses in the GRS Training Center. Sometimes students enroll together: a father and son, husband and wife, or a couple of friends...but twelve all at once! That's exactly what happened in August 2007 when an eager group from Paris, Texas filled their own GRS basic engraving course....
Continue with A Special Engraving Field Trip »
These custom spurs were commissioned by a collector from Diane Scalese. The customer's only instructions were to use an "eagle and snake" theme, and he wanted them to be fancy. ...
Continue with How a Design is Chosen »
Some people can be apprehensive about using their own artwork for engraving, especially if they question their artistic ability. Improving one's drawing and layout skill is an essential and ongoing pursuit, but there are extensive copyright-free art resources to help anyone produce nice engraving results. Even top engravers use these, and for good reasons....
Continue with Using Art Resources Creatively (Part 2) »
Ron Smith and Diane Scalese call it Flare & Bright Cut engraving. The result is incredible three-dimensional beauty with a minimum of strategic cuts. It’s about freshness and efficiency. It’s rewarding to engrave because it lets you transform metal into sculpted designs in less time than you ever thought possible. Clients and collectors love the artistic boldness and the creative difference of this style....
Continue with Flare and Bright Cut Engraving »
The reasons a person becomes an engraver, jeweler or stone setter are many and varied. Some, like Charles Schreck, engrave just for fun and personal satisfaction, not as a job. Others, like Ashton Ludden discover this art form by chance and then choose to make a living from it. Those who take the professional path find creative and rewarding challenges in everyday work. One unique story is about a young jewelery apprentice from Cambridge, England....
Continue with Make Your Own Success through Art »
Once you learn Western Bright Cut engraving, you can turn a flat piece of silver into a sparkling bracelet, or a blank metal oval into a unique belt buckle. In cowboy country like Montana or Texas, Western style engraving is a recognized favorite with collectors and customers....
Continue with Silver Bracelets (Part 3) »
Rewarding, relaxing, alive with personal growth...these are what many people seek in their hobby. Now, more of us are turning to the art of engraving as a creative and fulfilling hobby. With innovative tools and techniques now shared so freely, people around the world can add this wonderful tradition to their life, even part time. Years ago this was difficult or even impossible; today it's clearly achievable even for those who aren't natural artists....
Continue with A Hobby Beyond Most Hobbies »
April 2007 introduced the challenge of partnering with another artist to help an engraver translate a photographic image into a more engravable drawing. June's Featured Photos #25-2 showcased a partial engraving based on the client's pet. Now, this beautiful pendant is complete....
Continue with Partner with Another Artist (Part 3) »
People start engraving at different times in life and for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is to begin a new hobby, make a career change, or quite by accident. Ashton Ludden, a twenty-one year old college student working toward her BFA at Emporia State University, happened to be at the right university at the right time. ...
Continue with The Opportunity of a Lifetime »
If you are a leatherworker, maybe you have been thinking about how you can increase the value of your work. A great option is to add metal engraving to it! Metal engraving is a simple way to add some shiny and sparkling — and not to mention unique — ornaments to your leatherwork....
Continue with Spice Up Your Leatherwork »
A beautiful metal surface comes to mind when many people think engraving. But for a Fine Arts senior at Emporia State University, glass is his workpiece. Twenty-three year old artist Evan Markowitz first fell in love with glass blowing in high school, and decided glass would be his lifelong passion. Now, Evan has been adding to his creativity in glass by engraving it. ...
Continue with Engraving Loves More than Metal »
A great resource that even experienced designers, engravers, and artists use in their work is copyright-free artwork. Most collections include hundreds, if not thousands, of examples from time periods ranging from Art Deco to Ancient Babylonian art. Not only are these images great for study, engraving artists can start with these designs and make them unique with changes from subtle to extensive. ...
Continue with Using Art Resources Creatively (Part 1) »
Years ago, any image printed made use of a plate engraved by hand. Although technology has replaced such traditional printing methods in the commercial world, making intaglio prints from your engravings is a great way to reproduce your work....
Continue with Intaglio Print »
Trumpet style yelpers. Tube calls. Scratch boxes. Most people wouldn't think of these hunting aids as beautiful, but a creative man from Lebanon, Illinois has turned his turkey calls into works of functional art. Don Bald, who is retired from 38 years of teaching high school Shop and English, has made them by hand for the last 20 years — 12 of which he called "serious"....
Continue with Bald's Calls »
This exquisite silver bracelet, engraved by Diane Scalese, is an excellent example of Western Bright Cut engraving. As mentioned in Silver Bracelets Part 1, many engravers prefer to engrave these bracelets flat and then form them afterward; these photos were obviously taken before the bracelet was formed. One way to form them is with the GRS Metal Former (#004-725), which is actually based on a tool built years ago by Bob & Diane Scalese for Diane's growing business. ...
Continue with Silver Bracelets (Part 2) »
For the past few decades, Grand Master Engraver Ron Smith has been recognized and known for his firearms and knife engraving. Many people who admire Ron’s work think of him as a steel engraver, which he certainly is. But that’s not all Ron does and it’s not how he got started — he began in the jewelry trade. ...
Continue with Ron Smith Custom Buckle »
An Engraved Tribute to a U.S. Air Force Pilot...
Continue with Land of the Free, Home of the Brave »
Engravers may do some questionable things at times, perhaps just for the challenge or something new to try....
Continue with Micro-Lettering for Finer Skills »
Engravers constantly face the challenge of creating a design that will flow and please the eye. For new engravers this challenge becomes even harder with the introduction of small spaces, such as the handle of this custom knife....
Continue with Designing for Small Spaces »
Robert L. “Bob” Finlay loves to do deep, sculpted engraving, and he is a natural at it. One of his latest projects is this GRS Microblock model made especially to be engraved....
Continue with Engraved Microblock: A High Relief Work-in-Progess »
It's great to work on a new project that brings the opportunity to break out of the norm. At times, firearms engravers routinely engrave one gun after another. As a result, they can find themselves thinking about doing something different to keep their creative juices and the fun factor flowing....
Continue with Engrave Something Different »
A common design challenge for engravers is leaves. No matter how well a leaf is shaded, it's overall beauty and visual impact depends considerably on proper artistic structure. Here is an excerpt from Ron Smith's book Drawing & Understanding Scroll Designs for Artists, Engravers, and Collectors where he discusses line relationships and leaves....
Continue with The Structure of Scrolls »
Monograms and initials are a traditional bedrock skill for engravers and jewelers. Clients naturally want their personal identification engraved on important things, so monogramming and lettering provide an instant opportunity. ...
Continue with Monograms Made Easy »
There are extraordinary jewelers and stone setters who have the talent and ambition to push the field of stone setting and jewelry making to new levels. Russian-born Jura is one of them. ...
Continue with Micro-Pavé by Jura »
Annually, as part of the Atlanta Blade Show & International Cutlery Fair, Blade Magazine hosts a special knife cutting competition. The 1st place prize for 2007 was a professionally engraved belt buckle....
Continue with A Champion's Buckle »
If ever you have an opportunity to spend time with Augustino “Augie” LoPrinzi, you will meet a man worth meeting. And you may learn a few tips for enjoying life — not by sitting around relaxing, but by doing something with your hands....
Continue with The Joy of Learning & Doing »
The engraving design you see here is elegant, clearly complements the knife's design, and is gracefully simple. At times, some engravers over complicate their design which may detract from the harmony of the finished piece. ...
Continue with Unity in Repetition »
James “Bruce” Meek, author of the book The Art of Engraving, made many of his own tools, including engraving vises. This was his last design and has a special feature for microscope work....
Continue with James B. Meek’s “Positioning Vise” »
Featured Photos #15-1 shown in April 2007 presented the opportunity and the challenge of engraving a client’s dog with the help of another artist to help translate a photographic image into a more engravable drawing....
Continue with Partner with Another Artist (Part 2) »
Some clients want a personal object or symbol captured on a piece, such as a favorite hunting dog on a gun or a family crest on a ring. This type of engraving job can be quite different and challenging. ...
Continue with Engraving a Crest Signet Ring »
A type of folk art dating back centuries, scrimshaw is a unique form of engraving. Traditionally, scrimshaw work was colored using only black or dark ink, but now some scrimshanders use an array of color which opens this classic art to more creative possibilities....
Continue with Scrimshaw: A Special Form of Engraving »
Laurie Brown loves art, working with jewelry, and engraving. Years ago, she had trouble finding someone who would openly teach her to engrave. Just outside the Baltimore, Maryland area, Laurie has now been working under engraver Alan Binder at Smyth Jewelers for the past few years. She is serious about engraving and her work shows it....
Continue with East Coast Artist Loves Engraving »
Engraver Michael Dubber is proficient in both firearms and jewelry. He has professionally engraved hundreds of silver bracelets in various patterns over the years. Mike works in a variety of styles including Bright Cut (Western) style. He is known to blend elements of Western silver engraving with gun engraving elements to create designs that appeal to a wide range of people. ...
Continue with Silver Bracelets (part 1) »
This engraved inscription “For the Love of The Art” is a statement in two ways: first, it’s beautifully engraved in an elegant style that honors engraving by execution; second, the words themselves express the engraver’s passion for the art....
Continue with Engraved Tribute to Engraving »
A great way to add more fun, and if you are a professional engraver, to also broaden your client base is to embrace different artistic themes. This stainless steel tag (GRS part 003-301) can be used as a key chain or a pendant. When a tribal art design is used instead of more traditional scroll designs, it instantly changes the result and appeal....
Continue with Explore Different Art »
Jewelers and stone setters refer to closely spaced stones as being set “girdle to girdle.” In theory, stones can’t be set any closer than when their girdles are actually touching. But, that’s if the girdles are at the same height....
Continue with Purposely Overlapped Stones »
Magnus Svärd, a top Swedish goldsmith, stone setter and teacher, sent this interesting example of a wedding band he recently set with 1.4mm Flanders Cut diamonds....
Continue with Beads Don’t Have to be Round »
Rex Pedersen, a professional American engraver, loves to engrave English Scroll. Perhaps just for fun (or was there a real need for this, Rex?), he engraved a nice miniature English Scroll pattern on a practice plate. ...
Continue with At Times, it’s a Small World »
Todd Daniels is an engraver, artist and jeweler. Like many of us, his work priority is often driven by the business reality of paying the bills, but sometimes it’s driven by the art itself....
Continue with Art Creation “Quantum Matrix” »
Jake Newell, a 21-year-old Emporia State University student, engraved this bulino likeness in memory of his very special hunting dog Dakota. Jake was actually working on his Education major when he became intrigued by ESU's new Engraving Arts program. ...
Continue with In Memory of Dakota: An Amazing Piece of Student Work »
Do top professional engravers still do practice plates? Of course, but they are obviously different from what many of us call practice plates....
Continue with Ken C. Hunt's “Practice Plate” »
Most of us agree that shading lines are narrower and finer than other engraving cuts. Have you ever wondered just how fine shading lines are?...
Continue with How Fine is Fine Line Shading? »
This stainless steel Buck knife was engraved with a technique that produces an almost sculpted look but uses only graver cuts (no actual sculpting). The result is bolder and more time efficient than many line engraving techniques, and a surprising number of clients really like it. This technique lets engravers offer a relatively generous amount of coverage at an attractive price. . .while making good money per engraving hour....
Continue with Sculpted Engraved Look without Sculpting »
Pets are hugely popular, and this is a nice opportunity for beginning engravers who often look for worthwhile projects that are not too big or complicated. Professional engravers love a fun break from their normal jobs and the chance for some easy extra income....
Continue with Dog Tag Fun »
Here are some hints. He learned engraving in Belgium, starting at the age 13; he is now 76. This photo was taken in February, 2007, at the home of his good friend and former engraving student, Philippe Grifnée....
Continue with Name This Famous Engraver »
The artistic ability of metal engravers varies widely. Scrolls, leaves, borders, letters, and other geometric elements are one thing, but engraving pets and people are another....
Continue with Partner with Another Artist (Part 1) »
The GRS Training Center in Emporia, Kansas, opened its 2007 schedule with a Basic Engraving course taught by Rex Pedersen. Rex loves to teach and purposely makes time for it in a very busy schedule. He is a third generation gunsmith, professional engraver and president of FEGA, the Firearms Engravers Guild of America. ...
Continue with 2007 Courses Begin »
Coin carving, especially the American Nickel used in the folk art called Hobo Nickels, is fascinating and ever-changing. Kansas engraver and carver Robert “Bob” Finlay does this so naturally, it’s amazing....
Continue with 5 Cent Mascot »
We’ve all seen extreme behavior before, but the never-ending pursuit of creative adventure can cause an unexpected progression that borders the extreme. ...
Continue with Stone Setter Goes Wild »
David Drake is a machinist with a special connection to the world of engraving. During the week, he programs and operates one of Glendo's most sophisticated machines, an integrated multi-axis turning/milling center that produces GRS handpiece parts and a lot more. Dave went to work at Glendo with no interest in metal engraving whatsoever, but that's changed....
Continue with Machinist Enjoys Metal Engraving Hobby »
This brass disk, marked 1879, is about 1.7" (43mm) in diameter. It was possibly a sample piece used to demonstrate engraving ability, perhaps for a client. The work piece size and lettering suggest it was related to pocket watches. The two sides are quite different. One side has some extraordinary lettering in a variety of styles including the repeated name, "Elgin Nat'l Watch Co."...
Continue with 19th Century Brass Engraving »
This stainless steel pendant was bulino engraved with no intention of ever using it as a "plate" for printmaking. However, when an Emporia State University art student Michelle Parkman saw it, she was excited to see what could be done with such a small and highly detailed engraving (the actual pendant is only 1" wide). Michelle, an experienced intaglio print maker, used a warm black ink to produce the stunningly detailed print you see here....
Continue with Intaglio Print of "Barney" »
Ralph Bone, a respected engraver, stock maker, gunsmith and teacher, passed away in late 2006 at the age of 77. He will always be remembered as an extraordinary craftsman and artist, as well as a kind, humble person. ...
Continue with Ralph Bone's Tools »
This sterling silver jeweler's loupe (which began as GRS Loupe #011-480) was decorated by Alexandre Sidorov of Antwerp, Belguim, and a GRS demonstrator during the 2007 Inhorgenta Exhibition in Munich, Germany....
Continue with Sterling Silver Loupe »
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